Killie were
coasting after strikes by Ally Mitchell and Chris Innes
before United hit back through Steven Thompson and then Craig Easton
six minutes from time.
The game was never
going to be anything other than a mid-table tussle, but there were
positive signs for both Jim Jefferies and Alex Smith in time for the
close-season assessment of their respective squads.
Kilmarnock started
brightly and after 15 minutes they had a double threat on goal when
both Andy McLaren and Jim McIntyre were denied.
Just on the
half-hour Mark McLaren was alert again but he lifted the ball over
both Paul Gallacher and the post following a great ball from Boyd.
The first half
was all Killie, and in the 39th they had a legitimate penalty
claim waved away when Peter Canero was tripped by Jim Patterson.
It mattered little
as Kilmarnock went in front three minutes before the break, when
Ally Mitchell - captain for the day - looped a header over
Gallacher from Stephen Murray left-wing cross.
United were caught
cold two minutes after the re-start when Killie grabbed the second.
Innes Goal
Then Chris
Innes (above) will not have an easier goal as he bumbled the ball
home from close range from Mitchell's in-swinging corner.
There looked to be
no way back for the Tangerines but after some heavy pressure they
replied on 64 minutes.
From substitute
Stephen O'Donnell's right wing cross Thompson was on hand to power
home a six-yard header to give the visitors some hope.
With Kilmarnock
fast losing momentum it was no surprise when United equalised, Easton
crashing a fantastic 25-yard shot into the top right-hand corner to
grab a point.
The match was
poignant as it marked the last appearance in a Kilmarnock jersey for
veteran midfielder Ian Durrant, who hung up his boots after 18
years in Scottish football.
Attendance: 6,142
Kilmarnock:
Colin Meldrum, Greg Shields, Chris Innes, Jesus Sanjuan, Shaun Dillon
(Mark Canning, 81), Peter Canero, Alan Mahood, Ally Mitchell, Stephen
Murray (Ian Durrant, 88), Kris Boyd, Andy McLaren
Subs: Colin Stewart, Ian Durrant, Mark Canning, Gary
McCutcheon, Gary McDonald
