Easton seals fine Tangerines comeback

By Sean Saranczuk
May 16 2002

Kilmarnock and Dundee United shared the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Rugby Park.

Kilmarnock and Dundee United shared the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Rugby Park.

Killie were coasting after strikes by Ally Mitchell and Chris Innes before United hit back through Steven Thompson and then Craig Easton six minutes from time.

The game was never going to be anything other than a mid-table tussle, but there were positive signs for both Jim Jefferies and Alex Smith in time for the close-season assessment of their respective squads.

Kilmarnock started brightly and after 15 minutes they had a double threat on goal when both Andy McLaren and Jim McIntyre were denied.

Just on the half-hour Mark McLaren was alert again but he lifted the ball over both Paul Gallacher and the post following a great ball from Boyd.

The first half was all Killie, and in the 39th they had a legitimate penalty claim waved away when Peter Canero was tripped by Jim Patterson.

It mattered little as Kilmarnock went in front three minutes before the break, when Mitchell - captain for the day - looped a header over Gallacher from Stephen Murray left-wing cross.

United were caught cold two minutes after the re-start when Killie grabbed the second. Innes will not have an easier goal as he bumbled the ball home from close range from Mitchell's in-swinging corner.

There looked to be no way back for the Tangerines but after some heavy pressure they replied on 64 minutes.

From substitute Stephen O'Donnell's right wing cross Thompson was on hand to power home a six-yard header to give the visitors some hope.

With Kilmarnock fast losing momentum it was no surprise when United equalised, Easton crashing a fantastic 25-yard shot into the top right-hand corner to grab a point.