Dundee Utd1–1Dumbarton

TIREDNESS cost Sons three points against promotion favourites Dundee United having held a 1-0 lead until four minutes from the end of an absorbing game at Tannadice.

David Smith's fifth minute opener was eventually cancelled out by a 19-yard James Keatings curling free-kick in the dying embers of a match Sons probably deserved to win.

Sons performance, their best of the season this far, merited victory, even more so because gaffer Stevie Aitken's pre-match plans were thrown into chaos when midfielder Kyle Hutton pulled up in the warm up.

David Wilson was elevated from the bench and his contribution to the game's outcome would prove pivotal.

Dumbarton started brightly on a pitch that was in great condition, with loan signing Greg Morrison, making his debut, setting things off.

And Dumbarton found themselves in front after five minutes.

Tom Walsh collected the ball wide left after United's full-back, Murdoch, slipped, and the ex-Rangers man's whipped cross was deflected into the path of David Smith at the back post who slipped the ball into the net.

This was Smith's first ever goal for Dumbarton and his teammates made their joy clear by mobbing the winger.

Gallacher had to look smart to deny Scott Fraser bringing the home side back into the game on twenty minutes and ten minutes later United looked to have equalised when Briels rounded the Sons 'keeper but shot wide from admittedly a wide angle.

Following the half-time break, United sub N'Koyi burst into the Sons box but his shot was wild and sailed over Gallacher's crossbar.

Dumbarton almost doubled their precious lead when Froxylias neatly chipped in a long range free-kick that was fumbled by Lewis, however there was no Sons player around to react.

And that second goal almost arrived thanks to the wizardry of Walsh when his break from the left led to a stunning shot which Lewis tipped on to the bar.

Dundee United went all out for the elusive equaliser in the dying moments of the game and found it on the 86th when James Keatings curled an edge of the box free-kick, given away by a tiring David Wilson on King, beyond the wrongly positioned Scott Gallacher.

Sons can take much heart from this game. They matched their full-time opponents for long spells and can now look forward to two home matches which could be crucial in the first quarter of the season.