www.football-live.co.nr

By Martin Conaghan

Lee Miller celebrates Aberdeen's opener in the 33rd minute

Dundee United and Aberdeen played out a thrilling draw at Tannadice to put United within a point of Hearts in the race for a Uefa Europa League place.

Aberdeen's Lee Miller scored against the run of play with an overhead volley in the 33rd minute.

Five minutes later David Goodwillie headed in a David Robertson cross from six yards out for the equaliser.

Aberdeen's Mark Kerr was sent off for remonstrating with the referee 15 minutes from the end.

Aberdeen were searching for their first league win at Tannadice since 2005, while United were keen to build on their recent five-match unbeaten run.

Goowillie pinged in an early shot from the edge of the penalty area that shaved Jamie Langfield's right-hand post.

It was 17 minutes before the match sparked to life when Bauben worked a neat one-two with Morgaro Gomis on the edge of the Aberdeen penalty area and thundered in a powerful drive that flew just over the bar.

Andis Shala powered down the right in the 23rd minute and flicked a neat ball to Goodwillie, who attempted a curling shot from the edge of the box that drifted over Langfield's bar.

Aberdeen struggled to threaten the United goal until Sone Aluko set up Chris Mcguire to fire straight at Lucasz Zaluska.

But against the run of play they went ahead, Scott Severin nodding down a corner for Miller to fire an ambitious overhead volley past Zaluska to put Aberdeen ahead.

The lead was short-lived, as four minutes later Bauben flighted a delightful ball to Robertson from the halfway line and Goodwillie bulleted in a header from the resulting cross to level the scores as half-time approached.

United's Paul Caddis looked dangerous shortly after the restart with a powerful drive from the edge of the Aberdeen box, but the ball was unable to find a way through the thatch of bodies.

Aluko then gathered the ball on the edge of the United penalty area, only to hook a half-volley wide of the mark.

Moments later, Severin hit the side-netting from close range as Aberdeen piled on the pressure.

At the other end, United's Conway did well to break free and power through on goal, but he finished with a weak shot straight at Langfield.

The pace of the match picked up in the last 15 minutes as when United picked up a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area after Kerr impeded Conway.

Kerr was subsequently sent off for remonstrating with referee Chris Boyle, then Conway rattled the woodwork with the resulting set-piece.

Goodwillie weaved his way through the Aberdeen defence with seven minutes left on the clock and fired in an angled shot, but Langfield palmed it out.

It was an edgy finish as both sides pushed for a winner, but solid defending in both halves meant a share of the spoils.

Dundee United manager Craig Levein:

"I thought it was a missed opportunity, we were at home, we had an attacking side out and we tried to make the right substitutions to make it even more attacking

"But it just didn't work for us.

"We have to give credit to Aberdeen, I thought they played well in the second half.

"But we never controlled the game to get enough possession for a decent pattern of play.

"We've got good players, and part of the problem is they're young and inexperienced - and it showed in some spells during the match.

"When you play at home and get a point, I'm always disappointed."

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood:

"We don't want people to get yellow cards, but if we get them, it's got to level itself up, but it was a wonderful game with two very good teams trying to win it.

"I think the ref is a good referee, but I thought he had a poor game tonight.

"He's got to look at his own performance, as we all do.

"But all credit to my players - we have so many injuries, they battled away, and we could have won this game against a good team."

Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Caddis, Dods, Kenneth, Dixon, Swanson (Conway 58), Buaben, Gomis (Scott Robertson 71), David Robertson, Goodwillie, Shala (Feeney 80).
Subs Not Used: McGovern, Dillon, Kovacevic, Dow.

Booked: Buaben, Dods.

Goals: Goodwillie 38.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Foster, Mair (Vidal 46), Severin, Mulgrew, Duff, McDonald, Kerr, Aluko, Miller (Wright 90), Maguire (Pawlett 76).
Subs Not Used: Bossu, Stewart, Paton, Ross.

Sent Off: Kerr (75).

Booked: Miller, Foster.

Goals: Miller 33.

Att: 10,407

Ref: C Boyle