Dunfermline 3
Dundee Utd 0
League (First Division)

Match Report

"It's a funny old game" is a cliche as old as the game itself. Dunfermline clearly enjoyed the better of the first half, yet so easily could have gone in trailing. Although Dunfermline did dominate the first half, they didn't really create too many clear cut chances. The best undoubtedly was after 25 minutes play when Smith found Petrie in the clear on the left. His run in on goal was unhindered, but Ally Maxwell came to the rescue with a fine save from Petrie's shot from just inside the penalty area. Only the late intervention of Steven Pressley's head prevented Greg Shaw from converting a Moore cross as Dunfermline continued to make all the running. Yet two minutes from half-time, United really should have stolen the lead. Brian Welsh met a corner to powerfully head in on goal. McCathie blocked it on the line and the ball careered up in the air, only for Robbie Winters to head wide when it looked easier to score!

With Craig Brewster on for Nell Caldwell at the start of the second half, it was United who now dictated play. Twice Paddy Connoliy went close before Guido van de Kamp saved from Mark Perry (at the second attempt) and at full stretch from Paddy Connolly. It, therefore, was all the more galling when Dunfermline went ahead 19 minutes from the end. Stewart Petrie rammed the ball into the roof of the net from close range after Ally Maxwell and Mark Perry had combined to keep out his first effort.

Within a minute United were a goal down and a man down as Dave Bowman was sent off after a foul on Petrie. Cock-ahoop Dunfermline turned the screw on United's depleted side and twice Ally Maxwell brilliantly denied Greg Shaw before having to admit defeat to his diving header from Moore's cross from the right.

The sides - if not the scores were evened up when Paul Kinnaird was red-carded after leaving Andy McLaren rolling on the ground clutching his ankle. United immediately pushed forward, but were caught cold when Dunfermline broke upfield and Allan Moore hammered in their third with an angular drive from 12 yards to leave United well beaten at the end of game which was full of twists and turns. None of which unfortunately went in our favour!