Rod Wallace struck a vital last-minute winner as Rangers' title drive refused to be punctured by a stubborn Dundee United showing at Tannadice.

Right on 90 minutes, substitute Jonatan Johansson drove forward and released Gabriel Amato whose cross was turned into an empty net at the far post by Rangers' leading scorer Wallace.

It had looked as if Scotland striker Billy Dodds' 42nd minute strike would mean the points would be shared in a hard-fought if scrappy Tannadice clash.

Defender Scott Wilson put Rangers ahead with a 35th-minute header, but the visitors were never able to impose themselves on what proved a surprisingly even contest against struggling United.

Dodds levelled matters before the break and came close several times to inspiring a surprise win as the home team found their form after half-time without managing a second goal.

United's assurance belied their league placing of ninth, but the ill-fortune that has dogged them of late returned to deny them a draw at the last.

Wallace's last-gasp close-range effort is the kind of goal which helps win titles and sets up the Ibrox side for Sunday's home derby with Celtic a clear 10 points ahead of their Old Firm rivals.

Wilson was only included because of Colin Hendry's suspension following his red card in Saturday's 1-0 win over St Johnstone, while Neil McCann made his first Rangers start.

United manager Paul Sturrock dropped three players in the wake of the dismal 2-0 weekend reverse at Motherwell, notably Kjell Olofsson making way for Tonny Mols.

Rangers might have moved ahead as early as the fifth minute when Rod Wallace burst away from Neil Duffy on the right, but Stephane Guivarc'h missed entirely the resulting low cross.

After 11 minutes, Barry Ferguson's inside pass proved too intelligent for Jason De Vos, but keeper Alan Combe was not to be outwitted by Guivarc'h blocking well with his legs.

A double booking after 25 minutes introduced a moment of farce as Erik Pedersen's plea Wilson be punished for fouling Alex Mathie was granted, only for the home defender to be yellow carded himself for protesting.

After 32 minutes, Rangers, who had been the more dominant side albeit in a scrappy opening, moved ahead when Wilson met another precise Wallace cross.

It was the youngster's first goal in Rangers colours and must be credited to him despite a slight deflection via De Vos which helped beat Combe.

Guivarc'h needed to replaced minutes later, the Frenchman taken off through injury allowing out-of-favour Argentinian striker Amato an opportunity to impress.

United looked resigned to their fate only to then create a goal out of nothing to level, a Joe Miller corner creating havoc in the Rangers rearguard.

A De Vos header prompted an ill-fated effort to push up for offside which meant Dodds found himself in time and space just eight yards out and the Scotland international made no mistake.

Clearly lifted by their goal, United were a more confident side after the restart, but needed to be alert to an early spell of Rangers pressure.

A flowing move from the visitors after 52 minutes saw Amato combine with Wallace, but the striker's cross eluded former Hearts winger McCann.

After 65 minutes, United were encouraged by a Dodds lay-off finding Craig Easton whose snapshot was charged down by Sergio Porrini.

Now the home team were on top, Joe Miller's weaving run almost culminating in Wilson putting through his own net, while De Vos fired wide from distance moments later.

After 74 minutes, a Miller cross set up Dodds for a flicked header well claimed by Stefan Klos, the German keeper's first real save of the contest.

In United's next attack, a Pedersen throw-in was the launchpad for a swift Dodds turn and sharp angled drive that fizzed just wide of the mark with Klos seemingly beaten.

Jonatan Johansson was introduced for McCann and the Finn duly carved an opportunity for Wallace only for keeper Combe to deny the forward with a point-blank 81st-minute save.

But games are never over until the final whistle, and Rangers were to have the last laugh as Wallace's 90th-minute goal, his 17th of a productive campaign, snatched victory.

Teams

Dundee Utd: Combe, Malpas, Pedersen, Easton, Mathie, Dodds, Miller, Duffy, De Vos, Mols, Pascual.

Subs Not Used: Olofsson, Dolan, Thompson, Skoldmark, Gallacher.

Booked: Pedersen.

Goals: Dodds 43.

Rangers: Klos, Porrini, Amoruso, Ferguson, Van Bronckhorst, Albertz (Miller 71), Guivarc'h (Amato 35), Wallace, McCann (Johansson 75), Wilson, Vidmar.

Subs Not Used: Brown, Malcolm.

Booked: Wilson.

Goals: Wilson 32, Wallace 90.

Att: 11,707

Ref: M McCurry (Glasgow).