Dundee United 1-1 Falkirk: Michael Forbes scores in stoppage time to secure dramatic point for the Terrors

American striker Jacob Murrell gave the Bairns an early lead and it looked like they would hold on for their first Premiership win of the season.

However, home defender Michael Forbes popped up deep in stoppage time to secure a dramatic point for the Terrors.

The hosts made three changes to the side that lost at Motherwell on Wednesday night. Dylan Tait and Kevin Ciubotaru came in for the suspended Emmanuel Agyei, who was sent off against the Steelmen, and the injured Will Ferry, while Rangers midfielder Lyall Cameron, who joined United on Tuesday on a season-long loan, was handed his debut at the expense of Abdoulaye Yoro.

The visitors made just one change to the team that was beaten by Rangers in midweek with new signing, Derby loanee Owen Eames replacing Calvin Fodrey.

The Bairns took the lead in just the fourth minute when former United wing-back Ryan Strain hit a corner from the right with Murrell powering a header past helpless home keeper Jack Walton.

Shortly after, Strain had a chance of his own to double his side's advantage but he hit his shot into the side netting.

The Bairns were well on top and Ben Krauhaus tried his luck with a long-range effort that Walton initially fumbled and then caught at the second attempt.

United finally tested Falkirk keeper Scott Bain when Ciubotaru hit a shot from distance which the goalie turned for a corner.

In the 29th minute, Dylan Tait swung in a superb cross from the right with Zac Sapsford just inches away from connecting for what would have been a tap-in.

In stoppage time, Bain came to Falkirk's rescue with a fine save from a Cameron strike.

Panutche Camara presented Daniel Bennie with a gilt-edged chance in the 51st minute but the winger sent a point-blank header straight into Bain's arms.

The keeper then made a great one-handed save from a Randall shot with the same player having another pop at goal but his effort flew well over.

The home side continued to press and Bain had to pull off an acrobatic save from a Zidane Iqbal shot and from the subsequent corner another sub Lachie Rose hooked the ball over when he really should have hit the target.

However, Bain was finally beaten in added time when Yoro swung a cross into the Falkirk box with Forbes rising highest to plant a header past the keeper and secure a point for the Terrors.

Dundee United assistant boss Lee Sharp on a second-half penalty incident involving Jesse Randall:

"We watched it back quite a few times and I don't know how they came to the decision so quickly, in terms of the review. There's a definite stamp that catches Jesse Randall.

"He stamps on Jesse's right foot and catches him. As soon as it happened, we thought that - we had a quick look at the footage on the bench.

"I couldn't believe how quickly they checked it. I thought it was a definite penalty. Hopefully we'll get a look at it later, on the TV.

"But he's come in and almost stamped down on him and caught him with his left foot on Jesse's right foot. Jesse is not the type of person that will go down and stay down."

"Yes, it was a bit frustrating. I thought we started the game really, really well on the front foot.

"Jacob's got his goal, which is great for him. We had other opportunities to increase the scoreline because we were well on top.

"So disappointing to lose a goal so late, considering we defended so much and, what we didn't defend, Scott Bain made saves.

"But if I'm being honest, I can't complain that Dundee United took something out of that game because they put a lot into it."

What the result means and next fixtures...