Adam has last laugh but United hit top six
Tannadice men throw away two-goal lead as Dundee salvage a point and some pride
DUNDEE UNITED squandered a two-goal derby lead but still secured a top-six finish in a thriller at Tannadice.
The Tangerines seemed to have the game sewn up after Nicky Clark and Charlie Mulgrew established a commanding advantage, but Dundee came storming back with Danny Mullen and then Charlie Adam hitting the back of the net.
A share of the spoils was probably a fair result in a frantic game peppered with chances.
While United can now look forward to seeing out the season chasing a European dream in the top half of the table, their rock-bottom near neighbours are still deep in relegation trouble even though they have now narrowed the gap on 11th-placed St Johnstone to five points.
Dundee welcomed back skipper Adam to the starting line-up following his 30-minute cameo off the bench against Aberdeen last week when he provided two assists to help the Dark Blues salvage a draw.
Scotland Under-21 midfielder Max Anderson was also recalled with Zak Rudden and Christie Elliott dropping to the bench.
United boss Tam Courts kept faith with the same XI that drew against Hibs at Easter Road last Saturday.
There was a cracking atmosphere inside Tannadice in the minutes before kick-off with the home fans covering three sides of the stadium with a sea of tangerine flags and banners.
However, the first chance of the game fell to Dundee in the fourth minute when Jordan Marshall swung a cross in from the left but Mullen headed over United’s Swiss goalkeeper Benji Siegrist’s crossbar. It was a typically frantic opening to the derby with lots of tackles flying in but little in the way of cohesive football.
The home side did carve out an opportunity when Tony Watt sent a ball across goal which Liam Smith returned but Ilmari Niskanen failed to connect.
However, the United fans did not have to wait long for the opener, which came in the 12th minute.
Dundee keeper Ian Lawlor inexplicably came racing off his line but Ross Graham won the header on the edge of the box with the ball flying to Clark, who nodded into the empty net.
The United striker then tried his luck with a long-range effort, but his shot flew straight into Lawlor’s arms.
Dundee attempted to hit back with Paul McMullan sending a ball in from the right, but Adam’s shot was gathered by Siegrist at the second attempt.
The Dark Blues were enjoying a spell of pressure and passed up a great chance when a driven ball from Marshall fell to Mullen at the back post, but his tame shot was held by Siegrist.
United’s Niskanen became the first player to be booked by referee Steven McLean in the 35th minute after a late challenge on Marshall.
Adam then lined up a 35-yard free-kick but even with the wind at his back, he could not trouble Siegrist, who comfortably held his effort.
Just before half-time, there was a flare-up in front of the dug-outs when Shaun Byrne flew into a tackle on Watt with Adam then becoming involved.
Once the dust had settled, referee McLean booked the two Dundee players.
Shortly after the restart, Adam went down in the United box but there looked to be little or no contact from Kevin McDonald.
However, United doubled their advantage in the 55th minute with a goal right out of the top drawer.
The Tangerines were awarded a free-kick wide on the right after a foul by Jordan McGhee with Mulgrew stepping up to whip the ball into the far top corner as Lawlor stood rooted to his line.
That looked to be the knockout blow but Dundee came storming back with two goals in the space of two minutes.
First, Mullen headed home from close range after Siegrist flapped at a Cammy Kerr cross and then Adam hit a ferocious, swerving, 30-yard shot past the stunned United goalkeeper.
Marc McNulty should have given his side the lead again shortly after, but the striker blazed over Lawlor’s crossbar with the goal at his mercy.
Niskanen then teed up Liam Smith, but he shot wide.
Dundee substitute Niall McGinn came agonisingly close to putting his side in front when he tried an audacious long-range lob, but the ball bounced off the top of the United crossbar.