Former Dunfermline loan star Chris Mochrie climbed from the bench to put his old club to the sword in dramatic fashion as Dundee United’s Championship charge continued.
A share of the spoils looked likely after Owen Moffat had cancelled out Kai Fotheringham’s first-half opener.
But Mochrie would have the final word, smashing home his second goal of the campaign.
Latest: Dunfermline 1-2 Dundee United
⚽️ Jim Goodwin's side lead again as Chris Mochrie drops the shoulder to get past the defender, then adds the finish.
📺 Live on the BBC Scotland channel#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/eM2y1wjkut
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) November 10, 2023
United, unbeaten in their last 17 games in all competitions, are now seven points ahead of Raith Rovers at the summit of the second tier, albeit the Kirkcaldy club have two games in hand.
A scrappy opening
One former Dundee striker replaced another in the Dunfermline line-up, with Craig Wighton in for Alex Jakubiak. Michael O’Halloran came in for Lewis McCann from the side that defeated Morton 2-1 last time out.
McCann, in particular, was a surprise omission, having started every Championship fixture for which he has been available this season. Matty Todd was back on the bench for the first time since July.
United boss Jim Goodwin made just one alteration from the Tangerines’ 1-1 draw with Inverness, with Liam Grimshaw recovering from illness to replace Kieran Freeman at right-back.
United enjoyed the better of the fairly scrappy opening exchanges, with Fotheringham seeing a penalty claim waved away by referee Chris Graham and Tony Watt glancing a near-post header over the bar.
Some last-ditch defending was required by Aaron Comrie to block an audacious close-range back-heel by Glenn Middleton, following a slick move involving Watt and Fotheringham.
A curling effort from Paul Allan warmed the palms of visiting stopper Jack Walton for the first time.
Fotheringham, fresh from being named Championship player of the month for October, passed up a decent chance to break the deadlock when he headed a superb Middleton delivery wide of the post.
The opener arrives
But the precocious winger would not be denied.
Kai Fotheringham fairly enjoyed that goal as his gives Dundee United the lead at Dunfermline.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/I5V1dE8hAS
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) November 10, 2023
A tidy United passing move saw Scott McMann, Fotheringham and Louis Moult all combine to tee up Grimshaw on the edge of the box — and Pars keeper Deniz Mehmet could only parry the ball into the path of Fotheringham, who headed home.
Mehmet’s evening almost went from bad to worse when he slipped as he sought to play a long pass, skewing the ball straight to Moult. However, the United striker’s touch was too heavy and the former Tannadice keeper was able to gather.
A moment of Moffat magic
Mehmet was replaced at half-time, with on-loan Dundee keeper Harry Sharp entering the fray and receiving a predictably tempestuous reception from an East Stand packed with United fans.
Whistler Graham waved away another spot-kick claim — this time from the hosts — when McCann, on as a replacement for the injured O’Halloran, hit the deck following a collision with McMann.
Sharp’s first meaningful contribution came when he pushed a Moult header to safety following a delightful clipped Middleton cross.
The Pars took advantage of that reprieve by restoring parity.
Dunfermline 1-1 Dundee United
⚽️ Owen Moffat's reward for scoring is to be substituted, but with his final touch on the pitch he levels for the home side.
📺 Watch on BBC Scotland#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/0tTGPEMLHM
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) November 10, 2023
An uncharacteristic Sibbald slip allowed Moffat to scamper forward on the break, with Declan Gallagher left defending a two-on-one situation. The big centre-half then also lost his footing, leaving the youngster with a clear run on goal.
And Moffat was nerveless, slotting a super low finish beyond Walton; three goals in two games for the on-loan Blackpool kid.
Josh Edwards was next to threaten, surging forward and fizzing an effort narrowly wide.
United were being sprung on the break with regularity and were rocking to an extent rarely seen this term; exemplified when Holt was robbed in possession by Jakubiak. A brilliant block by the alert Walton was required to spare his defender’s blushes.
But it would be United who claimed a dramatic winner.
Mochrie linked up superbly with fellow substitute Mathew Cudjoe, drifting into the box and producing a delightful shimmy before slamming a left-footed finish past Sharp, sparking pandemonium in the away section.
Star man: Glenn Middleton (Dundee United)
Middleton was involved in much of United’s good work in the final third, whipping in a host of dangerous crosses and fizzing a couple of excellent shots narrowly off target.
The winger can count himself incredibly unfortunate not to have claimed a goal or an assist at East End Park.
Player ratings
Dunfermline (3-4-2-1): Mehmet 5 (Sharp 45); Fisher 6, Hamilton 6, Otoo 6; Comrie 6 (Ritchie-Hosler 75), Allan 6, Chalmers 6, Edwards 7; O’Halloran 6 (McCann 22), Moffat 7 (Todd 55); Wighton 6 (Jakubiak 60). Subs not used: Little, Fenton.
Dundee United (4-2-3-1): Walton 6; Grimshaw 7, Gallagher 6, Holt 7, McMann 7; Tillson 6 (Mochrie 70), Sibbald 6; Fotheringham 6 (Cudjoe 60), Watt 6 (Glass 60), Middleton 7; Moult 6. Subs not used: Newman, Denham, Graham, Freeman, Duffy, Stirton.
Ref: Chris Graham
Att: 7,237
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