Murray and Spittal on the mark at Tannadice as Bairns fight back twice United will have to dig deep at Falkirk

DUNDEE UNITED 2 FALKIRK 2

It will need to be a fantastic Friday night in Falkirk for Dundee United if they are to reach the Premiership play-off final.

The Tangerines were held 2-2 by the Bairns at Tannadice in the first leg of the semi-final and now the return game beckons, with Peter Houston’s side the favourites to go through. United will have to dig deep but they will still fancy their chances at the Falkirk Stadium.

Simon Murray put them ahead on 16 minutes with a fine strike after a terrific flick-on by Thomas Mikkelsen but James Craigen levelled for the visitors on 27 minutes.

The hosts fell out of the game after losing that goal but Blair Spittal’s fourth counter in five games – Murray laid it on for him – edged them ahead again on 53 minutes.

Just six minutes later, though, it was all square once more thanks to a stunning free-kick from Joe McKee and that was how it stayed despite the Bairns having a goal chalked off and United’s Mikkelsen being denied at the death.

For the third game in a row, the Tangerines had named the same starting line-up. The only changes were on the bench, with Sean Dillon and Alex Nicholls occupying the seats vacated by Coll Donaldson and Ali Coote.

The Bairns also kept the faith with their players, naming the same side that started their last league match at Dumbarton. It was a beautiful, sunny night as Tangerines’ goalkeeper and captain Cammy Bell led the team out with the cheers of the 7,000-strong crowd ringing in his ears.

This was part three of what United hope will be a six-part drama that ends with them back in the top flight.

However, it was Falkirk who looked the brighter team in the opening minutes and Aaron Muirhead had a 20-yard shot that was well covered by Bell.

There was a major injury blow for the home team on eight minutes when right-back Stewart Murdoch had to come off after a challenge from Nathan Austin and was replaced by Dillon.

United tried not to let that affect them, though, and two minutes later Tony Andreu’s shot from 25 yards had to be saved down low by keeper Robbie Thomson. Just seconds later, Murray bobbed and weaved his way towards the box before unleashing a strike that wasn’t too far away.

They had stepped up the pace and Andreu had a snap-shot that went into the ground before being gathered by Thomson on 12 minutes, then a Spittal cross flew right across the face of the Bairns’ goal.

The tide had turned in the game after a good start by the visitors and it was no surprise when United took the lead on 16 minutes.

It was the M and M duo that proved to

Blair Spittal, right, celebrates with Willo Flood after scoring United’s second goal, his fourth in five games.