Ray McKinnon’s first competitive outing as Dundee United boss ended in disappointment as the Tangerines were held to a draw at Arbroath in their opening League Cup group clash.
United did have the consolation of picking up a bonus point by winning the competition’s first-ever end of 90 minutes penalty shoot out.
There was an early scare for United when former Tangerine Ryan McCord found Steven Doris on the left, but Cammy Bell was off his line quickly to block the home striker’s shot.
Tope Obadeyi almost marked his debut with a goal in the 19th minute. Robbie Mutch in the Arbroath goal did well to save his low shot, then pulled off another fine stop to prevent Simon Murray prodding the rebound home.
The Lichties ‘keeper was the hero again as he pushed a Lewis Toshney effort from a Paul Dixon cross over the bar.
United were doing most of the attacking without creating many clear chances, but five minutes before the break Murray might have done better when he blazed a shot high from 12 yards.
With the wind at their backs, United continued to press after the break and Murray almost broke the deadlock when he saw a low shot from the edge of the area come back off the base of the post.
The breakthrough finally came with just five minutes left when the ball broke to Anier on the right of the area and the substitute gave Mutch no chance with a low shot.
But in injury time a mix up at the back allowed Colin Hamilton to equalise for the Licthies.
That meant a point each, but the bonus went to United after they won the penalty shoot out as Liam Callaghan missed for the home side while all five Tangerine kicks were converted.
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