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Billy McKay's (right) penalty made it all square after Stuart Findlay's red card

Billy McKay's seventh goal of the season ensured bottom of the table Dundee United earned a point against 10-man Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Kris Boyd gave home side the lead from close range with his 95th for the Ayrshire men after a sweeping move.

Kilmarnock's Stuart Findlay conceded a penalty for a foul on Ryan McGowan which was deemed to have denied him a goal scoring opportunity.

McKay slotted the spot kick beyond Jamie MacDonald to square the game.

Boyd was making his first start for Killie since 29 August and he didn't hang around to make an impact.

The striker began and finished the move that resulted in his opening goal. He picked out Craig Slater who in turn spread the ball wide to Josh Magennis and his cross was side footed home from three yards by Boyd.

Tope Obadeyi twice came close to adding to Killie's lead before the quarter of an hour mark. But on both occasions he was thwarted by Michal Szromnik; the first diving low to his right to save from point blank range, then low to his left as Obadeyi got his head on a Mark O'Hara cross from the right.

However, when Findlay was sent off by referee John Beaton for fouling McGowan midway through the first half to concede a penalty, United pulled level as McKay converted the spot kick.

It came after a Florent Sinama Pongolle free-kick, which took a defection, was parried wide by goalkeeper MacDonald. McKay swept it back across the face of goal to the back post where Findlay and McGowan collided.

Billy McKay (centre) pulled Dundee United level from the penalty spot

United tried to utilise their one man advantage as Killie tried to regroup.

McKay should have put United in front when clean through but MacDonald advanced from his line to make a fine stop.

Despite the blustery conditions both sides served up some neat moves to create chances.

The visitors saw a Blair Spittal shot fly wide before a Sinama Pongolle shot, following a neat exchange of passes with McKay, was held by MacDonald.

At the other end Boyd failed to get a touch on a dangerous driven cross from Mark O'Hara, while Obadeyi once again watched Szromnik turn away his left foot shot from the edge of the area.

Early in the second half United had a strong claim for a penalty ignored as Spittal looked to have been pulled back by Mark Connolly as he tried to latch onto a through pass.

The United manager Mixu Paatelainen was incensed and had to be calmed down by the referee after disputing his decision.

Paul Dixon blasted a shot wide of the target before MacDonald then was called upon to make a couple of fine saves one from Spittal.

Killie's talented midfielder Craig Slater almost put Killie back in front. He ended a positive run with a terrific curling right foot shot which crashed back off Szromnik's right hand post.

Mark Durnan nearly turned the ball into his own net as he miscued a clearance, but much to his relief the United goalkeeper was in the right place to save the ball and his blushes.

United have now picked up only one win in their last 15 League matches while Killie are five games without a victory.