Dundee United striker Jim Hamilton scored his fourth goal in four games to snatch a 1-1 draw and ruin Aberdeen manager Ebbe Skovdahl's swansong.

The Aberdeen boss, who announced his resignation at the end of the season yesterday, was cheered by the travelling support at Tannadice.

There was further cause for singing in the 27th minute when defender Phil McGuire stroked home a penalty for the Dons after Jim Lauchlan had felled Scott Michie in the area.

But Hamilton, who was sold to United by Skovdahl in January 2000, found himself on the end of an unlawful challenge by Russell Anderson before slotting home the penalty himself 10 minutes later.

The Dons should have opened the scoring in the 18th minute but Laurent D'Jaffo completely miscued an easy shot from inside the area.

Derek Young broke free on the right-hand side before releasing his team-mate 16 yards from goal.

The former Sheffield United striker had plenty of time to steady himself and shoot but, inexplicably, tried to hit the ball on the turn and lost it between his feet.

But Aberdeen were awarded a penalty after 27 minutes when Lauchlan pulled back Michie inside the area.

The United defender was caught out on the wrong side of his man when Kevin Rutkiewicz played a lovely through ball for his colleague and tugged on his shirt, leaving referee Willie Young with no option but to point to the spot.

The United defender was lucky not to be ordered off, as he was the last man, but was punished enough as McGuire dispatched the penalty with confidence.

United thought they had hit back almost immediately when Miller's powerful drive was saved by Preece and the rebound fell for Hamilton.

However, despite hammering the ball into the back of the net, the United striker's celebrations were short-lived as the linesman flagged for offside.

But Hamilton did grab the equaliser for United in the 39th minute after Anderson fouled the United striker in the area.

Referee Young again had no hesitation in awarding his second penalty kick in the space of 10 minutes after witnessing the Dons defender's foul at close-quarters.

Former Dundee striker Hamilton grabbed the ball for himself, fending off team-mate Steven Thompson, and stroked the ball into the left-hand corner of David Price's net, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

The second half provided little in the way of serious action. All too often both sides would see moves break down at the crucial moment, as the slippery surface - hindered further by a continual downpour that lasted the entire 90 minutes - prevented any slick passing.

Craig Easton may have grabbed the winner for United in the final minute when he powered a drive towards Preece's goal.