By Sean Saranczuk
September 30 2003

Andy McLaren returned to haunt his old side and give Dundee United a share of the points in a dire 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock at Tannadice. Former Rugby Park player McLaren could not agree terms with Killie in the summer and eventually ended up at Tannadice for the second time on a four-month contract.

When Kris Boyd put the visitors into the lead in the 72nd minute, it looked like his goal would be enough to take the points down to Ayrshire.

But, only two minutes later, McLaren was in the perfect position to hammer in a back-post volley following Charlie Miller's cross to deprive his ex-team-mates of a victory.

There was little action in the early stages of the game as both defences held firm in the face of tentative attacking approaches.

But in the 14th minute United striker Jim McIntyre had a good chance with a header from a McLaren cross. His effort from 12 yards lacked conviction, though, and flew wide.

Killie striker Colin Nish had a half chance when midfielder Peter Canero fired in a shot from the left, but the big striker missed his kick, allowing Mark Kerr to clear.

The game then came to life. Killie midfielder Martin Hardie had a header on target from a Canero cut-back, but the ball was pushed onto the post by a combination of United defender Alan Archibald and Tannadice keeper Tony Bullock, before the unbalanced Nish blasted over.

In the 56th minute there was a scare for United when defender Chris Innes slipped inside his own box, losing possession to Kilmarnock midfielder Steve Fulton, but the former Hearts player's snap-shot went wide of Bullock's left-hand post.

In the 72nd minute the visitors took the lead with a goal which no-one could have foreseen. Fulton threaded a clever pass into the box and the unmarked Boyd got the deftest of touches to take the ball past Bullock.

However, two minutes later a Miller cross from the left was headed on by Killie defender Greg Shields and McLaren was at the back post to slam a volley past Francois Dubourdeau from six yards out.