Dundee United overcame considerable adversity to earn a deserved replay against Rangers following an action-packed Active Nation Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox.
There was already a dark cloud hanging over the Tangerines as they made their way to the Glasgow stadium, with memories still fresh of the 7-1 hammering they suffered there on December 30.
They had to rejig their defence to cope with the dual absence of injured left-back Paul Dixon and their captain, the ineligible on-loan Rangers man Andy Webster.
Then, in the hours leading up to kick-off, illness infected their ranks and a stomach bug ruled out frontman David Goodwillie. Garry Kenneth played on despite also feeling under the weather.
Manager Peter Houston had to change his plans again when Argentinian striker Damian Casalinuovo hurt his hamstring with less than a minute of the game gone.
To cap it all, after Casalinuovo’s replacement Andis Shala had given the Tangerines the lead, referee Dougie McDonald gifted the home team two penalties.
The first one was well within the “dodgy” category as goalkeeper Dusan Pernis got something on the ball as he dived at Kenny Miller’s feet.
The second was “soft” to say the least, with United’s nemesis Kris Boyd going down rather easily after he collided with defender Sean Dillon.
Both kicks were fired home by Boyd, and when Nacho Novo made it 3-1 early in the second half you began to wonder just what the scoreline would be.
However, the United players showed no self-doubt and fought back through a Steven Whittaker own goal and an equaliser from Mihael Kovacevic to earn another go at the champions at Tannadice on Wednesday, March 24.
Kovacevic, whose 80th minute header was his first goal from open play for the Tangerines, revealed just how much the players wanted to make up for their previous visit to Ibrox.
“That game was on the players’ minds,” he admitted.
“But it was because we were angry and wanted to show that we are better than that. We were determined not to repeat it.
“I think we showed a lot of character to come back from 3-1 down. Even at that point, I never gave up and I always thought we could come back.”
Kovacevic added, “We were more like the real Dundee United today than we were then.
“Now Rangers know we are a good side and they will respect us for the replay.
“We are confident we can win the next game now, because we have been playing well at home lately.”
Kovacevic thought referee McDonald made wrong calls at both spot kicks.
“The first one was, for sure, not a penalty because the ball changed direction when Dusan touched it,” he said.
“The second one was a bit soft because he (Boyd) fell a bit easily. Maybe if I were a striker I would do the same so I am not blaming Kris Boyd.”
Houston admitted he had yet to review the spot kick awards on video but his initial reaction was his team had been hard done by.
“I was disappointed to lose what I thought were two soft penalties, although I haven’t seen them again and could be wrong,” he said.
“I thought that Dusan got his foot to the ball and, at the second one, it could have been a foul on Danny Swanson as we were attacking Rangers.
“He felt his heels being clipped and the ball dropped to Kevin Thomson and the rest is history. Sean Dillon and Kris Boyd come together, Kris goes down and it’s a penalty.”
But Houston didn’t dwell on the controversy, and was well satisfied with his side’s display.
“I am absolutely delighted with the players,” he added.
“I thought we started well and got in front. I was still positive at half-time because I thought there was still something in it for us.
“To go down 3-1, a lot of people probably wondered if we had the character to come back from that but under no circumstances did I think we were going to fold.
“When you score three at Ibrox you probably expect to win the match but we certainly deserved another shot at it.
“We are confident we can beat anybody at Tannadice and the replay should be an open game because Rangers don’t come and sit in; they will have a go, as will we.”
Ibrox assistant boss Ally McCoist, who took charge of the Light Blues instead of manager Walter Smith, chose to look on the bright side.
“It is not all doom and gloom -far from it,” said McCoist. “We are still in the competition and we are the holders.
“We have a great record in this cup and the good news is that we are still in it, albeit we face a really tough replay.”
United had a big setback for within a minute of kick-off, when Casalinuovo hurt his hamstring and was replaced by Shala.
On seven minutes, Novo skinned Kovacevic on Rangers’ left, and when Steven Davis took possession Pernis had to claw his cross away from his goal.
The Tangerines began to find their way and when Prince Buaben threaded a pass to Shala the frontman just couldn’t get a clean strike on the ball.
On 21 minutes, Darren Dods passed straight to Rangers striker Kenny Miller and the big defender was relieved to see the shot go a foot wide.
Just three minutes later, though, the 1000-strong away support were celebrating as their team took a dramatic lead.
Steven Whittaker was culpable for the hosts, with his pass infield to Danny Wilson falling short. Jon Daly dispossessed the youngster and his forward ball fell perfectly for Shala, who took a touch then sent his low strike past keeper Allan McGregor.
The Light Blues hit back 10 minutes later thanks to their first controversial penalty award.
Miller got in behind the United defence, forcing Pernis to dive at his feet.
The Slovakian shot-stopper got something on the ball but ref McDonald nevertheless pointed to the spot.
After Pernis had received his harsh booking, up stepped Boyd to score.
The home side went 2-1 up two minutes before the break and it was down to another questionable spot kick.
Sasa Papac played the ball into the box looking for Boyd.
Dillon was tracking the striker and there was a coming-together of bodies.
It was tough on United again as Boyd sent Pernis the wrong way with his shot.
Craig Conway got the second half off to a spectacular start for the visitors, striking the top of bar with a half-volley from 25 yards.
Unfortunately for the Tannadice men, though, Rangers found the net again just three minutes after the interval.
Novo was given way too much space on the right and his low shot made its way into the net, clipping Kenneth’s leg on the way.
Boyd nearly grabbed his third on 54 minutes but Pernis was equal to his header after the forward was picked out by another Davis cross.
As the hour passed, United badly needed a lift and Shala did his best to give it to them but his header flew past the post after he was found by a Dillon cross.
On 63 minutes, however, the visitors finally got a bit of luck.
A deep Conway cross was sent back to Morgaro Gomis, who was lurking outside the box, and the little midfielder’s volley was going wide until it was redirected into the net by Whittaker.
Boyd made way for Kyle Lafferty on 70 minutes, then Kenneth had the United fans on their feet when he went on a mazy run up the right wing and swung over a dangerous cross.
The Tangerines had their final throw of the dice with 14 minutes left, bringing on comeback man Francisco Sandaza for Gomis, and going with three up front.
The tactic worked as they scored again.
A Conway corner was met by the head of Shala and cracked off the crossbar.
Showing the quickest of thinking, Kovacevic pounced on the rebound and nodded in at the back post to send the United supporters wild.
Attendance: 24,096.
Rangers: McGregor, Weir, Papac, McCulloch, Davis, Thomson (Edu 74), Boyd (Lafferty 70), Novo (Beasley 85), Whittaker, Miller, Wilson. Subs not used-Alexander, Little.
Dundee United: Pernis, Dillon, Dods, Conway, Daly, Swanson (D. Robertson 53), Buaben, Gomis (Sandaza 76), Kenneth, Kovacevic, Casalinuovo (Shala 2). Subs not used-Banks, Watson.
Referee: Dougie McDonald.