Dundee United’s Tony Andreu insists his side deserved to take all three points on Saturday at East End Park instead of having to settle for a draw that further damaged their title hopes.
The Frenchman based that assessment on the number of chances his side created during the game compared to the hosts.
However, after Andreu had opened the scoring, United just could not find a way to add to their tally, something that left the playmaker incredibly frustrated.
He said: “There is no doubt we should have won the game. We had about five clear chances and credit to their keeper as he did really well but we should definitely have won.
“It is difficult not to be bitter at the end as they had two chances and scored one so it is really frustrating.
“But it was much better than the last couple of weeks. The work ethic was really good and off the ball we were much better than at Ross County for example.
“So I think we are on the right path to being a more solid team again.
“It is a bit better although we are frustrated that we didn’t win.”
The Pars had a great chance of their own in the eighth minute when a Michael Moffat effort was cleared off the line by William Edjenguele.
However, McKinnon’s men took the lead 10 minutes later in spectacular fashion. Andreu’s initial shot was blocked but the ball broke straight back to him and the on-loan Norwich player cracked an unstoppable shot from 22 yards past the despairing dive of Dunfermline keeper Sean Murdoch and into the bottom corner of the net.
Blair Spittal clipped the outside of Murdoch’s post shortly after with a long-range effort but the Pars drew level in the 28th minute when Kallum Higginbotham sent a tempting cross in from the left with John Herron beating United keeper Cammy Bell to the ball to head home for what was his first goal for the club.
United came storming back and Murdoch twice had to make vital saves to deny Thomas Mikkelsen with the second stop an outstanding point-blank effort.
The home side had a chance to take the lead in the 53rd minute when Higginbotham pulled a free-kick back to Nate Wedderburn but his goal-bound shot was blocked.
The Tangerines then had an even better opportunity when Scott Fraser danced his way into the Pars box and cut the ball back to Mikkelsen but the striker’s shot was blocked.
Andreu had a clear sight of goal in the 75th minute but Murdoch saved his initial shot and then the United man blazed the rebound over the bar.
Ten minutes later, Murdoch had to pull off a stunning acrobatic save to keep out a Spittal free-kick and then sub Simon Murray cracked a shot just inches past the post.
Andreu admitted he probably should have kept his composure and taken the chance that he sent over.
He said: “The keeper saved well but I should have scored from the rebound.
“I think if I had it would have finished the game and it would have been done but it happens sometimes.”
The Frenchman though certainly made no mistake with his well-taken goal and he added: “I shot and the ball bounced back to me.
“I saw a chance and I took it. I don’t think I could have hit it better.
“It was a good goal but unfortunately it wasn’t the winning one.”
Meanwhile, Dunfermline goal hero Herron revealed that ribbing by assistant manager Sandy Clark had made him doubly determined to open his account for the club and was the reason he headed to the dug-out to celebrate.
He said: “The main thing was to get a point which we deserved but from a personal point of view it was good to get my first goal for the club.
“It was a great ball from Kallum. He put it right on my head and it was an easy finish.
“Sandy and I have had a wee thing going on recently where he’s been saying I don’t shoot enough.
“I have scored a lot in training this week but when I netted in the game I just ran over to him.
“It was just a bit of banter. We have a great squad harmony here and we are all close together.
“We are 11 games unbeaten now and you don’t do that without having that.”
Having left Blackpool, Herron admitted he is keeping his options open as to where he will be playing next season.
He said: “We came to a mutual agreement that I won’t be going back so I am here until the summer and then we will see what happens.
“I have a few options and have spoken to a lot of clubs but I am just concentrating on playing games just now.”
