Dundee United came from behind to win a five-goal thriller against 10-man Falkirk and breathe fresh life into their hopes of catching the Bairns for a top-six spot in the Scottish Premiership.

It stops a four-match top-flight losing streak for the Tannadice side, earning their first league win of a frustrating 2026 so far.

Substitute Julius Eskesen was the late hero for the visitors, blasting past Scott Bain with seven minutes left after Falkirk had been reduced to 10 men midway through the half.

It followed a VAR review that encouraged referee Ryan Lee to upgrade his yellow card for Liam Henderson to red for denying Max Watters a clear goalscoring opportunity as he broke clear on the counter.

At that point, the game was finely balanced at 2-2, with United twice pegging their hosts back.

A nice finish from former Bairns midfielder Craig Sibbald levelled for the second time in the game, minutes after left-back Leon McCann crossed for right-back Filip Lissah to blast Falkirk ahead.

In the first half, a second goal in as many games from Aston Villa loanee Ben Broggio opened the scoring before a mistake from Bain handed United their first equaliser. His weak punch landed at the feet of centre-half Ross Graham, who finished coolly.

Lewis Neilson cut a frustrated figure for the hosts as the width of the crossbar prevented his looping header from restoring Falkirk’s advantage.

Falkirk looked dangerous in the second period until Henderson’s red card handed Dundee United the advantage, with the visitors profiting to claim their first top-flight win at the Falkirk Stadium in 16 years and go level on points with seventh-place Aberdeen.

Frustration for Falkirk but their successful season could easily end with them influencing the race for the title as they still enjoy an 11-point cushion over Aberdeen, who play the first of their three games in hand at Motherwell on Sunday.