Aberdeen stay sixth in the Scottish Premiership after coming from behind to draw with Dundee United after an enthralling contest at Pittodrie.

Amar Fatah's opener on the half-hour mark momentarily lifted the visitors above their hosts in the as-it-stands table, but Jesper Karlsson's equaliser 30 minutes later ensured that United remain eighth.

It leaves both sides with mixed feelings, with Aberdeen dropping two points at home but at least avoiding a third straight defeat and going five unbeaten at Pittodrie in the league.

United, meanwhile, remain without a win away from home in seven outings, have now won once in 10 overall and are without a win in their latest six visits to Pittodrie.

However, having won the reverse fixture 2-0 at Tannadice in September, they are now five unbeaten overall against their north-east rivals and are unbeaten in four outings.

Both sides had been forced into changes by injury or suspenion, but they were quickly into their stride as play flowed from end to end.

However, it took 21 minutes for either goalkeeper to be tested, when it needed a smart double-handed save from United goalkeeper Dave Richards to deny Karlsson's shot from range.

Just when the Dons started to apply some sustained pressure, United pounced to take the lead on the break.

Fatah dispossessed Nicky Devlin and advanced into the penalty box before side-footing low past goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov into the far corner for the on-loan Troyes forward's third goal of the season.

A fresh-air clearance from Bert Esselink allowed Graeme Shinnie to race clear inside the penalty box shortly after the break.

The restored Aberdeen captain, though, could not mark his 400th Premiership appearance with a goal as his shot was charged down by Richards.

United were rarely seen as an attacking force, but Zac Sapsford should have done better on the break when the striker raced clear but miscued his shot.

Aberdeen made United pay for that miss as Richards could only parry Adil Aouchiche's low drive and on-loan Bologna midfielder Karlsson pounced to fire the equaliser high past the goalkeeper for his sixth goal of the season.

That re-awakened United as an attacking force, but neither side could find a winner.

United had arrived without the injured Ross Graham and Ryan Strain, but the fit-again Iurie Iovu marshalled the reorganised defence with plenty of composure.

They were, though, denied possession for long spells, with the loss through suspension of on-loan Liverpool midfielder Luca Stephenson, and his combination of tenacity and creativity, perhaps the most significant absentee.

It looked like they might hand Jim Goodwin his first-ever win away to his former club as a manager against the run of play.

However, thanks in part to the latest in a long line of goalkeeping errors, they had to settle for their 10th league draw of the season - more than any other side.

United at least retained their record of not having lost in seven games when they have scored the opening goal.

Aberdeen have the opposite problem. Jimmy Thelin's side have only gone on to win once in 10 games when they have conceded first.

They also had to rely on a goalkeeping error - something that is proving an Achilles heel for United this season - to rescue a point and the Swede will surely be looking to resolve his side's lack of bite up front during the January transfer window.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "We were controlling the game and then make it so difficult for ourselves. At some time, we have to stop these soft goals.

"The good thing is that the players try and put a lot of energy into the game and get the equaliser.

"To be fair to them [United], when they scored, they defended well. Even if we are not having a perfect day attacking, we have to do better so we are not chasing the game."

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "I think the draw is probably the right result.

"I thought Aberdeen were the better team in the opening 45 minutes and we scored against the run of play. The second half, I thought we were a lot better.

"We are really disappointed with the equaliser. For all the possession they had, it was in front of us, but it is a decent point on the road for us."

Aberdeen visit Hibernian on Tuesday, while United are away to Livingston (both 19:45 GMT).