It may be a new-look team but it was an all-too-familiar feeling of disappointment for Dundee United fans on Saturday.
Dunfermline deservedly took all three points, with the scoreline ultimately flattering the home side.
United boss Csaba Laszlo fielded eight of his new summer signings in his starting line-up but they huffed and puffed to little effect in the first 45.
However, they still went down the tunnel at half-time in the lead. That Nicky Clark goal should have settled any nerves and provided the platform for Laszlo’s side to kick on and start their Championship campaign with a win.
Instead, Dunfermline changed formation at the break and came out determined to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
With United struggling to fashion chances up front, they needed to be resolute at the back but instead leaked three goals – that is simply not acceptable at home.
There now has to be a big response when they travel to play Queen of the South this weekend.
Laszlo has been in the game long enough to know that, even this early in the season, the knives will be out for him if there is a repeat of the Pars result in Dumfries.
As for Dunfermline, the win at Tannadice was even sweeter for their fans – who mercilessly barracked former favourites Clark and Fraser Aird throughout – being their first over United since August 2011.
Allan Johnston’s men have now beaten both Dundee teams already this season and on the evidence of those matches, have to be one of the main Championship promotion contenders.