Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin praised young defender Luca Stephenson after he bounced back from a late penalty mistake against Motherwell to earn a spot-kick in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Kilmarnock.
Stephenson, penalised for a late tackle on Moses Ebiye in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final defeat on September 20, showcased resilience at Rugby Park.
He assisted Louis Moult for the opening goal and drew a foul from Kilmarnock’s Fraser Murray in stoppage time, securing a crucial point for United.
Despite leading 1-0 at half-time, the Tayside outfit fell behind 3-1 as David Watson scored twice and Marley Watkins added another.
However, Craig Sibbald’s long-range effort reignited their hopes, and Ross Graham equalised in the ninth minute of added time to send the away end wild.
And Goodwin is delighted the on-loan Liverpool starlet didn't let his previous error affect him.
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“With the penalty, it’s clever from Luca Stephenson to get himself goal side of the Kilmarnock defender, who is ball watching a bit and there is contact with his left calf which leads to the penalty," the Irishman said.
“Stephenson held his hands up in the dressing room after that rash decision at Fir Park last weekend (to give away a penalty). Nobody in their career has probably done it as much as I have so I have every sympathy for him but he’s man enough to own up to it.
“The players and the staff all got round him and picked his head up and he showed a positive reaction today. We’ve got to remember the boy’s age as well and where he’s come from. He’s had a great education at Liverpool and we’re hoping to continue that.
“He’ll learn from situations like that and games like today are important moments in all the players’ careers as well.”
