Dundee twice came from behind to deny neighbours Dundee United a crucial Bank of Scotland Premier League win at Tannadice.

Stuart Duff gave the Tangerines a 12th-minute lead but Dark Blues' striker Tom McManus equalised with his second goal in three games in the 71st minute.

But United manager Ian McCall looked to be celebrating his first derby win when Jim McIntyre slotted home 11 minutes before the end.

However, with just five minutes remaining, Steve Lovell marked his return from suspension with another equaliser for the Dens Park club.

Dundee supporters had been denied a chance to berate former defender Lee Mair when a thigh strain ruled him out of the game.

But McCall handed a debut to on-loan goalkeeper Nick Colgan, who joined the club on Friday.

The visitors should have been ahead in the seventh minute when Lee Wilkie but team-mate Neil Barrett inadvertently blocked his path to Steven Robb's cross.

United were denied an early goal by Derek Soutar, who tipped James Grady's powerful shot round the post.

But Dundee struggled to clear Mark Wilson's cross from deep on the right and surrendered the opening goal very cheaply.

A lack of communication between the defenders and, crucially, a slip from Brent Sancho let Duff have a sight of goal.

The midfielder simply had to stab a low shot past the exposed goalkeeper from six yards out.

It was United's turn to defend in the 27th minute and David McCracken did brilliantly to swipe Wilkie's powerful downward header away from goal.

Wilkie feared the worst on the half-hour mark when he crashed to the floor after jarring his leg in the turf.

Fortunately, the Scotland international was able to continue after treatment.

Colgan, in his first real contribution to the game, did not look convincing in the way he dealt with Mark Fotheringham's long-range shot.

The former Hibs man had a great view of the shot, but seemed to panic and ended up weakly palming it behind.

He was more assured in the dying seconds of the first half, however, comfortably gathering Lovell's near post snapshot.

Wilkie was unable to continue after half-time, so Bobby Mann came on in his place.

United started the second half brightly and were denied their second goal by a fine save from Soutar.

The Scotland Future squad man dived low to his right to gather McIntyre's 20-yard effort.

Fabian Caballero then showed a flash of skill by completing a couple of one-two's with Calum McDonald on the right before dropping a cross on McManus' forehead three yards from goal.

Colgan had no chance of making the save and could only stand helpless as the ball whizzed past him into the back of the net.

United went ahead for the second time in the 79th minute.

Caballero ceded possession easily when faced with Wilson racing towards him.

Wilson had the freedom to pick out McIntyre, who stole in ahead of Sancho and hit a header, which deflected off the Trinidadian before nestling in the net.

But the Dundee players showed abundant spirit and won a precious point with five minutes remaining.

Lovell sneaked in behind the flat-footed United defence to get the merest of touches on McDonald's shot and send the ball beyond Colgan.

Teams

Dundee Utd Colgan, Duff (Dodds 81), McCracken, Ritchie, Archibald, Wilson, Kerr, McInnes (Brebner 69), McIntyre, Grady (Scotland 88), Crawford.

Subs Not Used: Bullock, McLaren, Cameron, Kenneth.

Booked: Ritchie, McCracken.

Goals: Duff 12, McIntyre 79.

Dundee Soutar, McDonald, Sancho, Wilkie (Mann 45), Robb, Barrett, Smith, Fotheringham, Lovell (Robertson 89), McManus (Sutton 74), Caballero.

Subs Not Used: Jack, Larsen, Brady, Kitamirike.

Booked: Lovell.

Goals: McManus 71, Lovell 85.

Att: 12,703

Ref: J Underhill (Scotland).