A dramatic last-gasp winner from Darren Dods gave Dundee United a 2-1 win and with it their first victory over Celtic in 10 years.

In the 71st minute, after being tripped by United skipper Dods inside the box, former Tangerines midfielder Barry Robson sent Nicky Weaver the wrong way for the opener.

But with seven minutes remaining, Jon Daly, on for Damian Casalinuovo to play his first competitive game since April following a knee injury, headed the equaliser from Danny Swanson's corner before Dods nodded home the winner with seconds remaining to leave the Hoops stunned.

In the eighth minute an Andreas Hinkel drive from 25 yards drew a fine save from Weaver before Dods eventually cleared the danger.

The Taysiders looked promising when they broke but their threat continually evaporated at the edge of the Celtic penalty area. It was Celtic who were getting their shots away and in the 16th minute, after Dods had been penalised for a challenge on Scott McDonald 30 yards from goal, Barry Robson fired the free-kick over the bar.

Celtic pinned United back in their search for the opener, Hinkel all too easily burst into the United box from the right but his cross-cum-shot was blocked by Weaver on his line.

United came close for the first time three minutes after the break. Wide man Jennison Myrie-Williams slalomed his way through the Celtic midfield but from 25 yards he dragged his left-footed shot wide of the target.

Celtic goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska made a spectacular save from United midfielder Prince Buaben and from the resulting corner, striker Damian Casalinuovo headed off the bar after being set up by Dods.

The tension increased by the minute as both sides went all out for a winner and Celtic were handed the opportunity from the spot in the 71st minute when Dods clumsily tripped Robson in the box. Robson raced to pick the ball up before sending Weaver the wrong way for his first goal of the season.

In a tense finale, Daly replaced Casalinuovo and in the 83rd minute he bulleted a Swanson corner past Zaluska from five yards out for a dramatic leveller. Zaluska then made a fine save from Swanson's 25-yard free-kick as United pressed for the winner, which they got in the most dramatic of fashions from the resulting corner, when Dods had a free header from Swanson's cross.