By Sean Saranczuk
May 4 2003

Motherwell and Dundee United shared the points at Fir Park following an entertaining 2-2 draw. The result leaves the home side at the bottom of the table, with United remaining a single point ahead.

Motherwell defender Tony Vaughan headed a late equaliser to deny Dundee United victory in the battle of the Premier League basement sides.

The 2-2 draw left the home side bottom but prevented United opening a four-point lead in the relegation battle.

The prospects of First Division champions Falkirk being allowed to groundshare until their new stadium is completed still look slim, but a crowd of more than 9,000 was evidence that both sets of supporters were treating this match with importance.

There was no shortage of entertainment either as both sides produced football worthy of the top flight.

Stephen Pearson gave Well an early lead which was cancelled out by Charlie Miller just after the restart but Vaughan's intervention was needed to prevent Jim McIntyre's goal from becoming the winner.

Pearson opened the scoring in the 11th minute, converting from close range after the United backline had failed to cope with a free-kick that had been headed on by striker David Clarkson.

United made a change at the break, with David McCracken replaced by Jim Lauchlan, and it was not long before Miller hit the equaliser. It was quite a finish as he controlled the ball in the box, slipped away from challenges and then produced a venomous shot that gave Well keeper Stevie Woods no chance.

Then, nine minutes from time, a swift counter-attack saw McIntyre find a good position on the left, but the presence of two defenders prevented him finding Billy Dodds at the back post.

He twisted and turned with the ball still under his control before deciding a shot was a better option and the ball rocketed past Woods.

But Vaughan bundled the ball over the line from close range as a ruck of players challenged for a Derek Adams corner five minutes from time.

One thing that was noticable freom both sets of fans at Fir Park, the supposed best referee in scotland Huge Dallas was a shambals i think its safe to say that every supporter out side the old firm want changes in the way the referees work.