Joe Aribo salvaged a point for Rangers but they slipped up yet again in the title race as Ross Graham grabbed his first goal for Dundee United.
And it brought the champions back down to earth with a bump after their midweek heroics in Europe against Borussia Dortmund.
The Light Blues have now dropped nine points since the winter break as they stutter in defence of their Scottish Premiership crown.
All eyes were on the champions and how they would react after that incredible win in Germany and they failed to follow it up despite bombarding the United goal.
Filip Helander came in for his first league start in five months, replacing Borna Barisic in the only change to the starting XI in Germany, while Charlie Mulgrew returned for the home side.
The home side started on the front foot on and their gameplan was clear from the first whistle as they tried to press.
But gradually they were pushed back as the Light Blues started to take control and they had a huge penalty shout turned down.
Mulgrew’s defensive clearance appeared to strike the arm of Graham but Bobby Madden was having none of it.
It was a sore one and United almost rubbed salt into their wounds midway through the half after great play by Ilmari Niskanen whose neat turn and shot in the box was deflected wide by James Tavernier.
But the Tangerines did get their noses in front just short of the half hour mark and it was youngster Graham with his first goal for the club just a few days short of his 21st birthday.
Dylan Levitt swung in a corner from the left and the centre half showed great determination to beat Helander to the ball and headed beyond Allan McGregor.
It was a real blow and gave United something to hold on to and they defended so well with Benjamin Siegrist barely tested.
Van Bronckhorst threw on Fashion Sakala for Scott Arfield just short of the hour mark and they pressed for a leveller.
Siegrist was finally asked a question when Joe Aribo headed on a corner but the Swiss shot-stopper - linked with Gers - made a point blank save.
And from the rebound there was another penalty claim for Rangers with Graham the man at the centre of it as he appeared to pull Sakala’s shirt.
Siegrist was getting busier by the minute and denied Morelos after the Colombian got on the end of Tavernier’s cross.
But he was finally beaten with 14 minutes left as the Light Blues grabbed the equaliser that had been coming.
It was a well worked move down the left with Calvin Bassey cutting the ball back perfectly for Aribo who ran onto it and lashed the ball home.
That gave Gers a huge lift and they bombarded United with Diallo clean through but the on loan Manchester United man smacked the post.
Here’s three talking points from Tannadice:
Travel sickness
Rangers have now failed to win on two trips to Tannadice this season and their recent domestic results on the road must be a cause for concern.
This is the fourth away game in a row since the winter break they haven’t picked up the victory and that is proving damaging to their hopes of defending the title.
Draws at Pittodrie and Ross County were followed by that Parkhead pummelling and now this latest set back.
Rangers return to Ibrox against Motherwell next week but have trips to St Johnstone, Dundee and St Mirren before the split.
Birthday treat
What more could Ross Graham have asked for ahead of his 21st birthday on Wednesday? It doesn’t get much better than grabbing his first goal against Dundee United.
The defender only returned to Tannadice when he was recalled from a testing loan spell at Dunfermline where he wasn’t getting the game time he needed.
Pars boss John Hughes insisted he was never a problem at East End Park but it’s been quite a turnaround to now be playing and scoring against the champions in the top flight.
His goal aside, Graham was heavily involved in the game after surviving that handball penalty claim against him and he even received an early birthday card - a yellow from Bobby Madden - and then got away with another spot kick appeal for pulling Fashion Sakala’s shirt.
VARce
Rangers benefited from the use of technology in their win over Borussia Dortmund as two game-changing decisions went their way after video review.
And the importance of VAR was highlighted here as the Light Blues were denied what looked a certain spot kick.
Charlie Mulgrew’s clearance appeared to strike the arm of scorer Ross Graham but referee Bobby Madden was having none of it.
Scott Arfield was close to the incident and was screaming for it and United could count themselves lucky although the Sky Sports panel were split.
And the same again in the second half with Graham again involved when he appeared to pull Fashion Sakala’s shirt.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst hasn’t hidden the fact he’s in favour of introducing VAR into Scottish football and these latest incidents will only strengthen his argument.
