Joe Aribo salvaged a point for Rangers but they slipped up yet again in the title race as Ross Graham celebrated his 21st birthday with a first goal for Dundee United.
And it brought the champions back down to earth with a collision after their midweek heroics in Europe against Borussia Dortmund.
The Light Blues have now dropped nine points since the winter break as they stammer in defense of their Scottish Premiership crown.
All eyes were on the champions and how they would react after that incredible victory in Germany and they failed to follow through despite bombing United's target.
Filip Helander came on for his first league debut in five months, replacing Borna Barisic in the only change in the starting XI in Germany, while Charlie Mulgrew returned for the home side.
The home team started on the front foot and when they tried to press their gameplan was cleared from the first whistle.
But he was slowly pushed back as the Light Blues began to take control and he was turned down a heavy penalty shot.
Mulgrew's defensive clearance appeared to hit Graham's arm but Bobby Madden had none of it.
It was a sore one and United almost sprinkled salt in his wounds midway after a brilliant game from Ilmari Niskanen, who was deflected widely by James Tavernier in the clean turn and shot box.
But Tangerine got his nose right past the half-hour mark and it was young Graham who scored his first goal for the club.
Dylan Levitt came into a corner from the left and the middle half showed the ball's determination to beat Helander and move on from Alan McGregor.
It was a real blow and gave United something to hold on to and they defended so well with Benjamin Seagrist barely being tested.
Van Bronkhurst threw on a fashion sakala for Scott Arfield just short of the hour mark and he pressed for a leveler.
Siegrist was asked a question at the end when Joe Aribo went to a corner but the Swiss shot-stopper - linked with Gers - saved a point blank.
And the rebound claimed another penalty for Rangers with Graham at the center of it as he appeared to be pulling off Sakla's shirt.
Siegrist was getting busy by the minute and refused Morelos after the Colombian went to the end of Tavernier Cross.
But they were eventually beaten with 14 minutes remaining as the Light Blues caught the oncoming equalizer.
It was a well-worked move in which Calvin Bassi cut the ball all the way back to Eribo, who ran over to him and threw the ball home.
This gave the Gers a big lift and he bombed United with Diallo, but the post was dashed by a Manchester United man on loan.
Here are three talking to Tannadis:
Travel sickness
Rangers have now failed to win two Tours of the Tanadis this season and their recent home results on the road should be cause for concern.
This is the fourth game in a row they have not won since the winter break and it is proving to be detrimental to their title-saving hopes.
That parkhead pummeling and now this latest set back after draws at Pitodry and Ross County.
Rangers return to Ibrox the next week against Motherwell but make trips to St Johnstone, Dundee and St Mirren before splitting.
Birthday treat
What more could Ross Graham have asked for on his 21st birthday? Nothing could be better than scoring your first goal against Dundee United.
The defender only returned to Tandice when he was recalled from a test loan spell at Dunfermline, where he was not getting game time.
Parcs boss John Hughes insisted he never had a problem at East End Park, but now playing and scoring against champions in the top flight is quite a change.
His goals aside, Graham was heavily involved in the game after avoiding a handball penalty claim against him and also received a card on his birthday – a yellow one from Bobby Madden – and then another to pull off Fashion Sakla's shirt. The spot kicked off with an appeal.
Wars
Rangers benefited from the use of technology in their win over Borussia Dortmund as two game-changing decisions went their way after a video review.
And here the importance of VAR was highlighted as the light blues were ruled out as a sure-spot kick.
Charlie Mulgrew's nod appeared to strike scorer Ross Graham's arm, but referee Bobby Madden had nothing to do with it.
Scott Arfield was close to the incident screaming for it and United could consider themselves lucky, however the Sky Sports panel was split.
And he was reunited with Graham in the second half when he appeared to pull off Fashion Sakla's shirt.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst has not hidden the fact that he is in favor of introducing VAR into Scottish football and these latest developments will only strengthen his argument.