Late Marley Watkins header sees 10-man Kilmarnock snatch draw at Dundee United

A last-gasp goal from Marley Watkins saw Kilmarnock salvage a dramatic 1-1 draw against Dundee United in a hard-fought William Hill Premiership clash at Tannadice.

The hosts looked like they had secured all three points in a game of few chances when Amar Fatah, who had an earlier penalty saved, scored a superb goal after the break.

However, Killie netted in stoppage time through substitute Watkins to pick up what could prove to be a priceless point in their battle to avoid the drop, although they finished the match with 10 men after Jack Thomson was shown a late red card for a reckless challenge.

The hosts made two changes to the team that beat Spartans in the Scottish Cup on Tuesday night. Ryan Strain and Ivan Dolcek dropped to the bench with Luca Stephenson and Emmanuel Agyei coming in, the latter making his United debut.

The visitors only made one alteration to the side that suffered last-gasp heartache in the league to Celtic last week, with striker Tyreece John-Jules missing out through injury and Aaron Tshibola taking his place in the team.

United came close to opening the scoring with just four minutes on the clock. Pan Camara passed to Stephenson on the right with the Liverpool loanee returning the ball to Camara, who hit a snap-shot that cannoned off Killie keeper Kelle Roos’ crossbar.

Camara looked like he had found a way to goal shortly after when he dispossessed David Watson on the edge of the box but referee John Beaton whistled for a foul.

The hosts were then presented with a gilt-edged chance to break the deadlock when Will Ferry was brought down by Brad Lyons inside the Killie box, with Beaton pointing to the spot.

After a delay during which Joe Hugill was booked, Fatah stepped up but Roos dived to his right to keep out his penalty.

Shortly after the restart, there was a penalty shout for Killie after the ball appeared to strike Iurie Iovu’s hand but, after a VAR check, Beaton waved play on.

The home side looked the most likely to open the scoring, with Stephenson hitting a long-range shot that seemed goalbound, only for Roos to produce an outstanding acrobatic save to deny the wing-back.

However, the keeper was helpless as the Terrors finally broke the deadlock in the 74th minute. Fatah made amends for his earlier penalty miss, cutting in from the left and hitting a superb curling shot that flew into the back of the net off the inside of the post.

Killie then salvaged a point in the first minute of stoppage time when Greg Kiltie delivered a tempting cross into the box, with Watkins sending a looping header high past home keeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer and into the back of the net.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men soon after, though, when substitute Thomson chopped down Fatah as he raced through on goal, with the referee flashing a straight red card.