Billy Dodds slammed home a last-minute penalty to ensure all three points went to Dundee United after Aberdeen capitulated in the final stages at Tannadice.

Steve Paterson's side were leading by a single goal going into the last five minutes, after Scott Booth and an own goal from Alan Archibald cancelled out Barry Robson's opener and handed the Dons the lead.

However, the introduction of Charlie Miller with 18 minutes remaining inspired United to victory - and silenced his critics in the away end of the ground.

His previous employment as a Rangers player singled him out as a target for abuse during his warm-up but he reacted in the best possible way by nodding home Robson's corner with five minutes left.

Miller's involvement did not end there as it was he who had his legs whipped from him by Steve Tosh - resulting in Dodds being presented with a that late chance to beat David Preece, which he duly did.

United, reeling after being eliminated from the Tennents Scottish Cup by Dunfermline last weekend, had made two changes with young midfielder Mark Kerr recalled to the side after serving a suspension, joined in the starting XI by Robson.

Miller and Craig Easton, who are both out of contract at the end of the season, were relegated to the bench once again after deputising last weekend.

Collin Samuel, another of McCall's summer signings, kept his place in the side despite not having scored since the opening day of the season.

Paterson dropped youngster Richard Foster to the bench and replaced him with Scott Muirhead.

Aberdeen, backed by a sizeable and vociferous travelling support, created the first chance of the game after only three minutes, but Muirhead was unable to direct Scott Booth's cross on target from 10 yards.

Preece ensured the scores remained level in the 13th minute with a wonderful diving save to scoop out a Dodds effort.

The ex-Pittodrie striker met Andy McLaren's cross ball six-yards from goal and appeared to have nodded it past Preece into the bottom corner - until the goalkeeper threw himself at full stretch and flicked it past.

United opened the scoring seven minutes later when Robson, playing wide on the left, raced across the pitch to meet a Mark Wilson cross after the youngster had combined well with Kerr in midfield.

Once he nipped in ahead of the Dons defence, he was left with the simplest of opportunities and side-footed the ball past Preece from close range.

Booth should have restored parity in the 33rd minute when he bolted through one-on-one with Paul Gallacher but he knocked the ball hopelessly wide from 16 yards out.

United thought they had added another eight minutes before the break but referee Stuart Dougal judged that McLaren had used his hand to steer Robson's cross into the net.

A blend of experience nearly added a second goal straight after the break when Derek McInnes won the ball on the edge of the box, allowing Dodds to nip in to shoot but it was straight at Preece.

Aberdeen were back in the match 10 minutes after the interval with Booth scoring a penalty after he was pushed in the back by David McCracken as he went for a Muirhead cross.

Booth's goal buoyed the Dons and they were rewarded in the 64th minute when Archibald stuck out a leg to clear Clark's low drive but only succeeded in knocking it into his own net.

Substitute Miller silenced his detractors with a fine header from Robson's corner before United snatched all three points in a dramatic conclusion after Tosh fouled the former Rangers man.

Dodds stepped up to take the kick and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Teams

Dundee Utd Gallacher, Wilson, McCracken, Archibald, Duff, Kerr, Dodds, McInnes, Robson, Samuel (Miller 72), McLaren.

Subs Not Used: Bullock, Easton, Scotland, Holmes.

Booked: McLaren, Dodds.

Goals: Robson 20, Miller 85, Dodds 90 pen.

Aberdeen Preece, Rutkiewicz, Anderson, Diamond, Morrison, Clark, Tosh, Heikkinen, Muirhead, Hinds (Zdrilic 89), Booth.

Subs Not Used: Esson, Sheerin, Foster, Prunty.

Booked: Clark, Diamond, Tosh.

Goals: Booth 55 pen, Archibald 65 og.

Att: 6,666

Ref: S Dougal (Scotland).