There was a late sting in the tail from the Alloa Wasps as they stunned Dundee United at the Indodrill Stadium.
The Tangerines took the lead in the second half and looked to be in full control of the game but Jim Goodwin’s men equalised before netting what proved to be the winner in the 89th minute.
Dundee United boss Robbie Neilson made two changes to the side that beat Falkirk last Saturday at Tannadice with Paul Watson and Craig Curran coming in for the injured Fraser Fyvie while Fraser Aird dropped to the bench.
The Tangerines had the majority of possession in the first half but struggled to break down a well-organised and disciplined home side.
The extremely narrow dimensions of the pitch at the Indodrill Stadium certainly did not help United however the first chances for Neilson’s men did not arrive until the 28th and 30th minutes and both fell to Paul McMullan but he was well wide with his two long-range shots.
The visitors did come agonisingly close to opening the scoring in the 39th minute when Stewart Murdoch hit a cross from the right with Curran sending a header goalward only to see the ball cannon back off the post.
Just before half-time, Sam Stanton had a pop from long-range but again his radar was well off and the ball flew wide.
Four minutes after the restart, McMullan had another attempt from 25 yards but his rising effort flew over the bar.
Billy King then made space for himself on the edge of the Alloa box with his shot being deflected just wide.
However, United finally broke the deadlock on the hour mark – and what a goal it was.
Pavol Safranko was fouled on the edge of the Alloa box with Tangerines full-back Callum Booth stepping up to take the free-kick which he struck with deadly precision into the top corner of home keeper Neil Parry’s net for his first goal for the club.
Booth was certainly in the mood and shortly after he hit another fierce shot but this time the ball flew over the bar.
The Tangerines looked to be in full control of the game but they were stunned in the 73rd minute when the Wasps equalised. Steven Hetherington hit a deep free-kick into the United box with Andy Graham rising high to send a looping header into the back of the net.
Neilson’s men tried to find a dramatic late winner and probably should have done so in the 86th minute when Booth sent a superb cross in from the left with sub Aird having a free header which he sent wide when he should have at least hit the target.
And United were left to rue that missed opportunity just three minutes later when Dario Zanatta embarked on a barnstorming run into the visitors’ box before calmly sending a low shot beyond Tangerines keeper Benjamin Siegrist.
