Dundee Utd1–1Dunfermline

A week removed from their goal-glut at Gayfield, United welcomed Dunfermline to Tannadice – and to say it was a different story would be no understatement as a bumper crowd of almost 9000 turned out to watch United snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat.

Missing captain Ross Docherty, Jim Goodwin drafted in Kieran Freeman to cover his absence in what was the only change to the side.

The game started at a high tempo, and United showed signs of the same attacking energy they exhibited just eight days before. Tony Watt was first to come close on seven minutes, foxing a defender on the edge of the box with a stepover before firing a shot low and wide of the far post.

Just a minute later, Jack Walton had to look alive to save a Chris Hamilton shot after the striker volleyed at goal from a Michael O'Halloran cross.

Chances followed for Scott McMann, firing low through a packed box, but easily saved by Sharp, then again just afterward with a looping shot into the box.

It proved to be a short afternoon for the incoming Freeman, substituted off in place of Archie Meekison on 30 minutes after suffering an injury. Blocked chances at both ends followed as the first half came to a conclusion.

The second period started and an faint air of frustration was creeping into the air in stark contrast to last week. Matthew Cudjoe came close just a few minutes in with a volley that was tipped over the bar, drawing applause from the crowd.

It would be fair to say that neither side were colouring themselves in glory when it came to accuracy in front of goal. That was, until the 61st minute. A ball sent in to the box by Josh Edwards connected with the glancing head of Craig Wighton, and the Pars man directed the ball beyond the reach of Walton for the opener.

The manager made changes as the half wore on, Kai Fotheringham replacing Glenn Middleton and Declan Glass coming on for Tony Watt, but it was beginning to seem like an all-too-familiar afternoon as United attacked the East Stand with little to show for their efforts.

Cudjoe was again in the thick of it with fifteen minutes of normal time remaining, and connecting with a Grimshaw knock-on, he showed some class to juggle the ball past the defender and fire just wide of the post.

But the lion's share of chances were flying high and wide for United, with Craig Sibbald, Fotheringham and Glass all missing the target as time ran out.

Then, five minutes into stoppage time, a moment to savour for the United fans – Matthew Cudjoe, accepting a Fotheringham pass 20 yards from goal, proceeded to fire a rocket into the top corner of the net. The goal sent United fans into raptures as a point was secured right at the death.

Heartbreak for a Dunfermline side who thought they may have notched an early scalp, but ultimately a feeling of just about getting out of jail for United, who on the whole will have felt disappointed to have dropped points in their first home league match of the new season.