Dundee United advanced to the knockout stages of the Betfred Cup thanks to a deserved two-goal victory over Dunfermline at Tannadice.
The Tangerines go through as one of the four best runners up from the group stages, having been pipped on goal difference at the top of Group C by Inverness.
United started brightly against the Pars and as Top Obadeyi fed Scott Fraser in the left, ‘keeper David Hutton had to block his cross before the ball reached Simon Murray in front of goal.
In the seventh minute Murray should’ve opened the scoring when he latched on to a slack Rhys McCabe passback. He was clean through, but fired his shot straight at the advancing Hutton.
United were creating chances and after a couple of Fraser near things, Nick van der Velden was inches wide with a 20 yard effort.
Dunfermline were battling and a Kallum Higginbotham corner saw Ben Richards-Everton’s header well saved by Cammy Bell.
Just before the break another shot from distance by van der Velden was stopped by Hutton.
Four minutes into the second period United took a deserved lead. Jamie Robson sent over a superb cross from the left and although Tope Obadeyi didn’t connect as he wanted to, Murray was there to head home.
After that the Tangerines continued to look the better side and with seven minutes left Fraser sealed what was a comfortable victory with a curling 20-yard free kick after Richards-Everton fouled sub Henri Anier.
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