DUNDEE UNITED maintained their impressive unbeaten home record in the SPL with a shock 2-1 win over Rangers at Tannadice this afternoon.

Daniel Cousin looked to have got his side back into the game at the start of the second-half when he made the score 1-1 on 52 minutes from the penalty spot after Lee Wilkie had opened the scoring for the Terrors in the first-half.

But the Light Blues could not build on the Gabon international's goal and only two minutes later Carlos Cuellar was adjudged to have fouled striker Jordan Robertson and Barry Robson secured three points for Craig Levein's resurgent team, again from a penalty.

Walter Smith made two changes to his starting eleven with Amdy Faye replacing Charlie Adam in the heart of midfield and DaMarcus Beasley getting the nod ahead of Nacho Novo.

Adam missed today's trip to Tannadice due to illness giving Faye the chance to make only his second league start in a Light Blue jersey. It was, however, to be a game to forget for the on-loan star who was hooked at half-time.

The Gers' gaffer stuck by the 4-5-1 formation which was so effective against Barcelona midweek with Beasley, along with McCulloch and captain Barry Ferguson, pushing forward to support lone striker Daniel Cousin.

United, who had not conceded a goal in five league games at home prior to today, showed their intent from referee Dougie McDonald's first whistle and after only two minutes Barry Ferguson was sent sprawling to the turf  having been clattered from behind by Sean Dillon.

The intensity of the early stages was then underlined when Alan Hutton was booked for a rash challenge on Noel Hunt and the United winger also saw yellow for squaring up to the Gers right-back in the handbags that followed.

The opening 15 minutes of the match were even in terms of possession but it was evident that breaking Levein's well organised and disciplined backline was going to be no easy task.

United were also showing their threat in the last third and a powerful Barry Robson shot from 25 yards on 23 minutes was well saved by Allan McGregor who dived low to his left.

The travelling Rangers' support were off their seats on 26 minutes when Cousin volleyed in a Barry Ferguson free-kick but the linesman was quick to raise his flag for offside, much to the frustration of the striker.

This was to prove to be a crucial decision as United then pressed forward and took a shock lead.

Prince Baubens was fouled on the left flank and Willo Flood's deep free-kick was met on the volley by Lee Wilkie. The defender's low shot gave McGregor no chance.

Rangers were starting to show signs of frustration and Kevin Thomson was next to be put in the referee's notebook after pulling the shirt of Robson and halting a United attack.

The Light Blues were the dominant side in the latter stages of the half as they went in search of an equaliser and Lee McCulloch came close to levelling proceedings on 43 minutes when his netbound shot from 12 yards was blocked by Darren Dods.

Smith elected to make a tactical switch during the break by taking off Faye and installing Novo on the left-wing with McCulloch being moved into attack alongside Cousin.

This seemed to make an immediate impact as the Gers looked to get back into the game.

On 50 minutes McCulloch found space on the right wing and his low cross was controlled by Cousin but United keeper Euan McLean made an excellent stop before the ball was played out wide to Thomson.

The Gers' No. 8 then delivered another teasing cross and Cousin again turned in the box with the ball glued to his feet but his left-foot shot from 10 yards went inched wide of goal.

The United defence was creaking under the pressure and Rangers were to be awarded a penalty when Beasley jinked into the 18-yard box and was fouled by Christian Kalvanes.

The full-back had no complaints and Cousin stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way with a composed effort.

Just when it seemed that Rangers were moving up a gear they were halted in their tracks when United were then given the chance to score from the spot.

Cuellar clearly held striker Jordan Robertson when challenging for a free-kick. Robson stepped up for the home side and hammered a left-foot drive down the throat of McGregor. Unfortunately the keeper had already dived to the left and had no chance of stopping the ball hitting the net.

The goal could not have come at a worse time for the visitors as they were in the acsendency prior to the penalty being awarded and it took the wind out of the Rangers players.

They fought until the death in this frantic match but McGregor had to make a stunning stop from a Bauben 25-yard shot with eleven minutes of the match remaining to keep the score at 2-1.

Smith tried one last throw of the dice to salvage a point by throwing Kris Boyd into the action but he did not have enough time to make a telling impact and the United defence remained resolute until the final whistle.

Rangers have now only picked up one point from from their last three league games away from home and, having beaten Celtic last weekend, this was a bitter blow in the championship race. 

United now move level on points with the Gers and showed that they are more than capable of pushing for a place in the top six after this impressive display.