Dundee United grabbed a controversial point after fighting back from a two-goal deficit against Kilmarnock.

Goalkeeper Alan Combe was restored to the Kilmarnock starting line-up after a one-game ban to replace Graeme Smith, while defender Gordon Greer made his first appearance since January in place of the suspended Garry Hay.

United did the early pressing and almost grabbed an opener after nine minutes, when Barry Robson's corner was flicked across goal by David Robertson.

But Fernandez was unable to direct the loose ball on target at the back post.

The visitors opened the scoring against the run of play in the 13th minute.

Johnston's corner was met with a bullet header from Stephen Naismith that left Stillie with little chance.

The hosts almost struck back immediately, when Lee Miller headed a Robson corner narrowly wide from close range.

But Killie extended their lead in the 18th minute with a bizarre goal.

Johnston swung in a corner from the right that was cleared to Naismith at the edge of the box.

The youngster sent an optimistic looping left-foot overhead kick (right) goalwards that seemed to deceive Stillie and hit the post before rebounding off the goalkeeper's back and into the net.

Colin Nish headed a Danny Invincible header wide to squander a chance of a 3-0 lead.

Fernandez was sent clear at the other end, but the former Celtic striker's curling, left-foot effort from the edge of the box drifted harmlessly wide.

And only a fine save from Combe kept the hosts out in the 28th minute when Mulgrew's free-kick from 25 yards was pushed behind for a corner by Combe as it looked destined for the top right-hand corner of the net.

United were level within five minutes of the break.

McCracken rose to head home a McInnes cross from six yards.

Then a McInnes shot deceived Combe, with the Killie defence claiming that Fernandez had been in an active, offside position, which certainly looked the case as his "dummy" certainly fooled Combe.

United might have gone ahead when Collin Samuel cut in from the right and unleashed a powerful left-foot shot that was deflected wide by Naismith.

There was another let-off for Killie in the 75th min when Colin Nish handled in his own box, from an Arabs corner,  but fortunately for Killie the officials missed the infraction.

In the last 5 mins, Killie pushed forward & Stille pushed a Nish corner wide for a corner while falling backwards.

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