A draw was a fair result this afternoon at Tannadice – and it would be fair to say it was also a result neither side wanted.
With Morton beating Brechin at Cappielow, United slipped down to fourth place in the Championship table while Dunfermline remain outside the promotion play-off spots in fifth.
The Tangerines probably created more chances over the piece but the Pars will no doubt point to the fact that they hit the woodwork and the home side’s goal was fortuitous to say the least.
United boss Csaba Laszlo made six changes from the side that was beaten by Queen of the South in midweek, handing a debut to former Rangers defender Bilel Mohsni while there was a welcome return to the starting line-up for Scott Fraser.
Tangerines legend Paul Sturrock who had accepted an opportunity earlier this week to help out with coaching at the club was watching the game from the stands.
United had a chance in the first minute but Jamie Robson’s shot was well saved by Pars keeper Lee Robinson.
Allan Johnston’s side did come agonisingly close to opening the scoring when Declan McManus hit the post with a strike from the edge of the United box.
Robinson pulled off a spectacular save in the 41st minute, soaring high to his left to claw away a superb 22-yard Fraser free-kick with a Scobbie header from the resulting corner cleared off the Pars line by Nicky Clark.
However, seven minutes into the second half, the Pars striker was on hand to open the scoring.
Ryan Williamson played a cross in from the right with Clark on hand to tap home.
Then in the 55th minute, United drew level when the Pars James Craigen tried to clear inside his box but only succeeded in crashing the ball off Scott McDonald and into the back of the net.
There were further chances for Sam Stanton and Mark Durnan but the game ended all square.
