Three goals in eight minutes helped Philadelphia Union to a point against Vancouver Whitecaps, despite conceding a late penalty.

The visitors were ahead inside 18 minutes when Erik Hurtado netted his fourth goal of the season.

He turned provider for Nicolas Mezquida moments before the interval as the Canadians looked in control of proceedings.

However, Conor Casey soon reduced the arrears for the Union and, when neat build-up play between Vincent Nogueira and Cristian Maidana presented Sebastian Le Toux with the chance to equalise on 68 minutes, the French substitute made no mistake.

A shell-shocked Whitecaps side then fell behind in the 71st minute as Casey nabbed his second of the game, converting Maidana's cross to give Union hope of victory.

However, those hopes were soon extinguished when Pedro Morales equalised from the penalty spot after Darren Mattocks was brought down by Zac MacMath.

The Union keeper nearly redeemed himself, but Morales's penalty squirmed just under his outstretched arm to give Vancouver a point that keeps them in fourth place in the Western Conference.