Dundee United manager Robbie Neilson hailed a “big result” at East End Park that moved his team to within two points of the top of the table.
The Tangerines are suddenly snapping at the heels of Championship leaders Ross County thanks to their third win in a week.
Peter Pawlett ran half the length of the pitch to score a terrific winning goal on 24 minutes and the visitors would have won more comfortably last night had they taken one or two of their plentiful chances.
It brought to an end the Pars’ five-match winning run but the hosts couldn’t really have any argument with the final scoreline.
Neilson said: “I thought in the first half we played really well and I was disappointed not to come in two or three up, at least, because we had so many chances.
“We obviously didn’t get another and in the second half it became a tough game.
“I’m pleased to get the three points.
“That gets us down to two points behind Ross County now.
“We’ve got Queen of the South at home on Saturday and if we win that we start to look after the game to see where we are.
“We could be second or we could be top.
“That’s the joy of picking up the points recently.
“Yes, Ross County have two games in hand but they’ve still got to go and win them.
“We have performed well on the back of playing Tuesday, Saturday and then playing here again.
“That was a big result for us.”
As for goal hero Pawlett, Neilson added: “Peter is a good player and the issue with him is keeping him match fit and ready.
“You can see the talent he’s got and for that goal he ghosted past three or four of them. He brings quality to the team.”
Meanwhile, Pars boss Stevie Crawford put the result into perspective after five victories for his players.
He said: “I’m disappointed to have lost the game but you have to consider the run we had been on.
“To take 15 points out of 18 is great and we’ll look for a response on Friday night against Ayr United.
“We came up against a good Dundee United side.
“The run has come to an end so we will dust ourselves down.
“It wasn’t through a lack of effort that the lads were beaten.”
