Billy Dodds' second-half double rescued a point for Dundee United and kept alive their hopes of attaining a top-six finish in the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

The veteran star struck soon after the interval then added a second from the penalty spot to sicken Dundee, who had led at the break after goals from Steve Lovell and Steven Milne.

It was tough on Dundee, who put everything into the game and - despite only being backed by 2150 fans instead of their usual 5,000 at Tannadice - did not look like a team struggling at the lower reaches of the table.

United were without influential midfield pair Charlie Miller and Derek McInnes through suspension, so Dodds and Craig Easton came into the side in their place.

Dundee, minus 22-goal forward Nacho Novo, who was also suspended, made two changes to their starting line-up - Steven Robb came in as the Spaniard's replacement, and Jonay Hernandez returned in favour of Douglas Cameron.

It took United eight minutes to create the first chance of the game. Alan Archibald tried to break through on goal after picking up Dodds' cross-field ball, but was stopped in his tracks by Brent Sancho.

However, as the Trinidadian lay on the floor, the former Partick man dug a shot out from between their entangled legs and chipped a fine effort on target which Julian Speroni did well to tip over.

The Argentinian was called into action again, in the 14th minute, to beat away Dodds' header after Andy McLaren picked him out inside the six-yard box with a high, swirling cross from the right-hand side.

Dundee then landed the first blow in fine style, with Lovell - scorer of the winner in the last derby back in January - again proving a menace to Ian McCall's side.

He was perfectly placed, 10 yards out, to nod Milne's pinpoint cross from the right flank into the top corner of Paul Gallacher's net, with United's defence - shown up badly against Aberdeen last weekend - once again found wanting.

United tried to fight back and went close when everyone inside the penalty area missed Mark Wilson's long free-kick, allowing it to shoot up in front of Speroni and head towards the top corner. Fortunately for Dundee, he was able to turn it round the post at the last minute.

Dundee added a second six minutes before the break, aided by yet another display of sloppy defending by United.

They pushed up too far and, having left Milne relatively free through the centre, were in no position to combat Barrett's through-ball - which the Dundee forward duly stuck away with a low shot into the bottom right corner.

McCall made his first change 10 minutes into the second half, withdrawing the out-of-sorts Jim McIntyre and replacing him with in-form Scotland.

The Trinidadian had an immediate impact and helped his side grab a goal back within 60 seconds of his arrival.

He found space on the right-hand side of the penalty area and tried to send a low shot across Speroni's body, which the goalkeeper parried.

Unfortunately for the Dundee goalkeeper Dodds raced in and produced one of his trademark close-range finishes - bundling the ball over the line from three yards.

Dodds added his second of the afternoon with five minutes left, this time from 12-yards out after Mark Fotheringham had knocked him to the ground.

Referee John Rowbotham had no doubts and awarded the penalty - which the former Rangers man slotted into the bottom left-hand corner.

Fotheringham was booked late in the game after a melee involving both sets of players, but helped Dundee weather a late barrage and win a well-deserved point.

Teams

Dundee Utd Gallacher, Wilson (Samuel 77), McCracken, Innes, Archibald, McLaren (James Paterson 65), Easton, Kerr, Robson, McIntyre (Scotland 55), Dodds.

Subs Not Used: Jarvie, Duff.

Booked: McLaren, Archibald, Dodds.

Goals: Dodds 56, 85 pen.

Dundee Speroni, Mackay, Sancho, Mair, Hernandez Santos, Barrett, Brady, Fotheringham, Robb, Milne, Lovell (Clark 89).

Subs Not Used: Soutar, McNally, Hegarty, Cameron.

Booked: Lovell, Fotheringham.

Goals: Lovell 18, Milne 39.

Att: 9,571

Ref: J Rowbotham (Scotland).