A controversial second-half equaliser from captain Derek McInnes gave Dundee United a share of the points against Kilmarnock at Tannadice.

Craig Brewster's side had found themselves two-down at the interval after a first-half double from Killie striker Steven Naismith.

But, two minutes into the second period, United defender David McCracken pulled a goal back for the Tangerines.

Then, four minutes later, furious Killie players thought David Fernandez was offside when McInnes netted in the second half.

But the former Celtic forward had not touched the ball and referee Iain Brines allowed the goal to stand.

United started the game brightly, still on high from their last outing against Livingston a fortnight ago which saw them record their first win under Brewster.

Killie goalkeeper Alan Combe was called into action after three minutes when he stretched to hold a looping header from Lee Miller after David Robertson had crossed from the right.

The hosts' early pressing almost produced an opener after nine minutes when Barry Robson's corner from the right was flicked across goal by David Robertson, but Fernandez was unable to direct the loose ball on target at the back post.

But it was the visitors who opened the scoring against the run of play in the 13th minute.

Gary Wales was tackled in the box by Garry Kenneth. The resultant corner from Allan Johnston was met with a bullet header from Naismith which left Derek Stillie with little chance.

The hosts almost struck back just a minute later when Miller headed a Robson corner narrowly wide from close range.

United were made to regret that miss as the hosts extended their lead in the 18th minute with a bizarre goal.

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

The midfielder sent an optimistic looping left-foot overhead kick goalwards which seemed to deceive Stillie and hit the post before rebounding off the keeper's back and into the net.

United might have fallen further behind in the 19th minute when Danny Invincibile's cross from the right was met by a Colin Nish header 12 yards out, but the striker's effort flew wide.

Brewster's men were struggling, but might have got themselves back into the game in the 24th minute.

Fernandez was sent clear on the right, but his curling effort from the edge of the box drifted harmlessly wide.

Brewster's half-time team talk must have had some effect, as his side managed to haul themselves level inside five minutes of the restart.

Good work from the Fernandez and McInnes on the right in the 47th minute saw the United skipper cross for McCracken to bullet a header low past Combe for their first.

Four minutes later, the match exploded as United netted a controversial equaliser.

Robson's cross from the left was cleared to McInnes at the edge of the box.

His left-shot never looked a threat, but, with Fernandez standing in an offside position in front of Combe, the ball trundled past the keeper into the net.

Killie players surrounded referee Brines who allowed the goal to stand

as the striker did not touch the ball.

There was more controversy in the 75th minute as the home side appeared to have been denied a clear-cut penalty.

Colin Nish handled in the box from Robson's corner, but referee Brines waved away appeals from the United players.

Just a minute later, the striker might have netted for the hosts at the other end when his right-foot effort was deflected into the air by Kenneth.

But Stillie did will to adjust and palm the goalbound effort away to safety.

Nish passed up another fine opportunity to put Killie ahead in the 78th minute when Wales crossed from the left, but the striker could only head across goal.

Teams:

Dundee Utd Stillie, McCracken, Kenneth, Mair, Mulgrew, Samuel,Robertson (Duff 79), McInnes, Robson, Miller, Fernandez.

Subs Not Used: Samson, Archibald, Cameron, Gardiner, Abbot,

Goodwillie.

Goals: McCracken 47, McInnes 51.

Kilmarnock Combe, Wilson, Ford, Wright, Greer, Invincibile,Fowler, Naismith, Johnston, Nish, Wales.

Subs Not Used: Smith, McDonald, Murray, Di Giacomo, Leven,

Campbell, Bell.

Goals: Naismith 13, 18.

Att: 5,830

Ref: I Brines (Scotland).