In the end United were fairly fortunate to walk away with a point when in reality they needed three.
By Gareth Scott
Csaba Laszlo rang the changes for United's visit to East End Park. Mark Durnan returned from injury with Paul McMullan also returning following his recent suspension. New signing Emil Lyng was promoted from the bench to make his first start for the Club. Dropping out were the injured Keatings and Mason with Paul Quinn listed amongst the substitutes. Former United man Callum Butcher skippered the Pars at the heart of their defence.
First Half:
The home side started brightly and in the opening minute McManus shot just over from the edge of the penalty box. Six minutes later Lewis produced an outstanding save from a McManus header however the Dunfermline forward had drifted into an offside position. McManus then went close for a third time when he broke into the United box but his powerful shot was well blocked by Durnan. With 12 minutes gone United had their first chance when Lyng set up McMullan who skipped past Talbot but his shot was straight at Robinson. On the half hour mark United had a great chance when Lyng got in behind the home defence but unfortunately he couldn't control the ball properly and the home side cleared. The half was played out competitively with the Pars edging possession and they forced a couple of corners without causing any problems to the visitors defence.
Second Half:
Three minutes into the second half McMullan floated a cross to the back post, the ball was headed by McDonald into the path of Stanton who shot over. King and McMullan then combined well on the left to set up Flood who dragged his shot just wide of the target. The home side then had a period of domination. Firstly after a poor clearance from Lewis the ball fell to Paton and his floated shot just cleared the crossbar. A minute later the ball was played through and McManus beat Scobbie for pace but Lewis did well to save his low shot.
With 20 minutes left United had a great chance. A terrific ball from King found McMullan who was through on goal but Robinson turned his effort round the post. The resulting corner landed at the feet of Slater whose shot was deflected wide with the referee awarding a goal kick. Six minutes later United had another chance. Flood hit the byline after a ball from Slater and his cross was met by the unmarked Lyng who headed over with the goal gaping. There were chances at both ends and the next one produced the save of the day. Paton swung the ball in and the cross was met by the impressive McManus but Lewis did brilliantly to tip his header over. Robson then broke down the left and his excellent cross was almost sliced into his own net by Mvoto. United were hanging on in the end and twice the Pars went close to snatching the points. Williamson crossed from the right and McManus nodded wide and then in the dying seconds Shiels took advantage of a slip by Durnan and United were relieved to see his shot come back off the post.
Summing Up: United had their moments and their chances but in reality it was the hosts who had the better of it and almost won the three points at the death.
Man of the match: On what was a tough day United managed to keep a clean sheet and the save from Harry Lewis near the end secured United a point.
Teams:
Dunfermline: Robinson, Williamson, Talbot, Mvoto, Morris, Paton (Ryan 87), Shiels, Wedderburn, Cardle (Aird 68), McManus, Clark (Higginbotham 87)
Subs: Gill, Martin, Luke
United: Lewis, Scobbie, Durnan, McMullan, McDonald, King, Stanton (Quinn 74), Slater, Flood, Robson, Lyng
Subs: Deniz, Allardice, Ballantyne, Smith, Chalmers, Appere
Referee: Bobby Madden
Attendance : 7139
