Kevin Nisbet’s brace earns Aberdeen a point against Dundee United

Kevin Nisbet was Aberdeen’s hero as they came from 2-0 down to snatch an unlikely point against Dundee United in the William Hill Premiership.

United’s set pieces had the Dons on the ropes by half-time as Vicko Sevelj and Sam Dalby headed home from corners.

Aberdeen had looked the better side going forward and had the visitors pinned back after the break, but Nisbet’s first goal after 75 minutes was their first effort on target.

His stoppage-time leveller was just reward for a fine second-half display from Jimmy Thelin’s men.

Both sides showed three changes to their midweek defeats to Celtic and Hibernian respectively, and a high-tempo opening was perhaps typified by a 10th-minute aerial clash between Pape Gueye and Declan Gallagher that would eventually force the United captain off after just 25 minutes.

The visitors had taken the lead five minutes before his withdrawal as Glenn Middleton’s deep delivery found Sevelj who, having lost his man, sent his back-post header into the ground and high into the net with goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov helpless.

Aberdeen’s hunt for an equaliser saw them poke and prod around the edge of the Dundee United box, but only a Topi Keskinen effort after 33 minutes really threatened, with the ball deflecting wide of the post.

Dons defender Kristers Tobers was forced off shortly before the break having aggravated an earlier injury in a challenge. As they reorganised, Emmanuel Adegboyega found the net but was flagged offside after a VAR check.

Dundee United did get their second goal in the ninth minute of time added on as a well-worked corner from the left saw Kristijan Trapanovski deliver for Dalby to flick home a near-post header from six yards.

Aberdeen introduced Oday Dabbagh and Graeme Shinnie at the interval and enjoyed a strong spell, with Gueye firing wide after sharp footwork from Keskinen created an opening.

And while for long periods it felt like the United penalty area was under siege, the defence and keeper Jack Walton combined to deny the Dons any clear-cut chances.

At the other end, Mitov was happy to see a Trapanovski effort flash wide of the far post before Alexander Jensen and Allan Campbell traded speculative efforts.

But Aberdeen were back in the game after 75 minutes as Jensen’s slide-rule pass found Nisbet on the edge of the area and he took a touch before firing low past Walton for a deserved goal back.

Defender Mats Knoester saw a long-range effort deflected narrowly over the crossbar as the Dons’ onslaught continued, but United could have sealed it when sub Kai Fotheringham headed over from close range.

And the Dons snatched a deserved – if unlikely – point in stoppage time as Nisbet popped up at the back post to touch home a teasing Jensen cross from three yards.