United 1 Inverness CT 1

United put in a fantastic battling performance at Tannadice tonight to earn a share of the points with Inverness. By Gareth Scott Playing 85 minutes with ten men, they came back from being behind after a Tansey penalty to draw 1-1. Ryan McGowan's second half equaliser was the least the fighting Terrors deserved. Right at the death the visitors were reduced to ten men in a game that produced nine yellow and two red cards. There were two changes to the United starting eleven for the eagerly anticipated visit of Inverness. Chris Erskine and Aidan Connolly were promoted from the substitutes' bench with John Rankin and recent signing Henri Anier dropping out. It was also great to see long term injury absentee John Souttar return to the match day squad. Inverness started the game unchanged from their 3-3 draw with Kilmarnock on Saturday. First Half After a very bright start from United they were dealt a hammer blow with only five minutes on the clock. Watkins latched on to a Shinnie through ball and despite a loud appeal for offside he tried to round the keeper but was tripped by the hand of Szromnik. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and at the same time showed United's young keeper a straight red card. After a lengthy delay during which Cierrzniak replaced the unfortunate Erskine, Tansey stepped up and handed the visitors the lead. Ten minutes later Watkins was through again and after rounding Cierzniak, McGowan made a fantastic saving tackle. Despite being a man down United looked threatening and went very close when Dow shot just wide. With half an hour gone Dow tested Esson again after being set up by Ciftci. Shinnie was then cautioned for the visitors for a foul on Dow and from the resulting free kick Cifcti fired straight at Esson. At the other end the visitors could have doubled their lead when a Christie cross was flicked on by Watkins and Warren headed over from close range. Second Half Shooting towards the packed Eddie Thompson stand United twice went close in the early stages of the second period. First Connolly played a fine pass in to Dow who was thwarted by a point blank save from Esson and then Butcher teed up Ciftci but the United forward shot over.  With an hour on the clock Fojut made a great block from Christie and then Draper fired over from long range. United were pressing for a leveller and went close with 20 minutes left when Ciftci laid into the path of Connolly but the United man failed to hit the target. Eight minutes later though they did grab the equaliser the home crowd were desperate for. United won a corner on the right and the ball came back out to Connolly who headed into the path of Dillon. The United skipper swung a cross into the box and Ryan McGowan hooked a shot that deflected past Esson. United were looking the more likely and Dixon played Ciftci through but the Inverness keeper made a fine save. With five minutes remaining the visitors almost stole the points when a powerful free kick from Tansey was tipped over by Cierzniak. In the dying moments of the game Warren was given a straight red for an off the ball incident that also saw both Ciftci and Dixon booked for the hosts. Summing Up - United should be pleased with their night's work, having to play against a good side with ten men for 85 minutes. There were points when you couldn't tell they were a man down and in the end more than deserved a share of the points. Man of the match - showing his battling qualities at the back by preventing the score going to 2-0 and scoring his first for the Club, Ryan McGowan put in a fine display for the hosts. Teams: United: Szromnik, Dillon, Dixon, Fojut, McGowan, Paton, Butcher (Anier 83) Erskine (Cierzniak 5) Dow, Connolly (Muirhead 74) Ciftci Subs : Rankin, Telfer, Spittal, Souttar ICT: Esson, Raven, Shinnie, Warren, Meekings, Draper, Ross, Watkins, Tansey, Williams, Christie Subs : MacKay, Horner, Tremarco, Polworth, Sutherland, Ferguson Referee : Calum Murray Attendance : 7276     Sent from my iPad