Substitute rescues United late on

Dundee United substitute Michael Gardyne scored a late equaliser to deny ten-man city neighbours Dundee a surprise victory in a 1-1 draw at Tannadice.

The visitors had earlier seen full-back Gary Irvine sent-off for leading with an arm in a challenge on Richie Ryan midway through the first-half.

However, Ryan Conroy gave them the lead around the same point in the second period, only for Gardyne to seize upon skipper Jon Daly's knock-down to level with just a minute remaining.

The Tangerines were missing a number of key players but still began with Daly and Rory Boulding wide of the mark before the dismissal of Irvine appeared to leave them well in control against their bottom of the table opponents.

And they were almost rewarded when Gary Mackay-Steven headed a Barry Douglas delivery against the crossbar before the same player forced a block from Dundee's debutant goalkeeper Steve Simonsen.

The visitors responded with Gary Harkins threatening on the end of a strong run while Conroy's free-kick was taken by Radoslaw Cierzniak following the break.

Home striker Daly then nodded wide before Conroy controlled Brian Easton's 67th minute cross and struck past United's Polish keeper Cierzniak at the other end.

Skipper Daly was in turn denied by Simonsen and also knocked the rebound over before finally heading down for Gardyne to equalise when lifting beyond the keeper with only a minute of normal time remaining.

Dundee United: Cierzniak, Watson, Dillon, McLean, Douglas, Ryan (Gauld 62), Millar, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven (Thomson 88), Daly, Boulding (Gardyne 69)

subs (unused): Banks, Tornstrand, Souttar, Dow

Goals: Gardyne (89)

Dundee: Simonsen, Irvine, Grassi, Toshney, Easton, Davidson (McBride 78), Riley (Benedictus 22), Conroy, Harkins (Cowan 80), J. Baird, McAlister

subs (unused): A. Baird, Gallagher, Finnigan, Nish

Goals: Conroy (67)

Ref: Madden

Att: 10,731

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