Dunfermline 0 United 1

United get the all important three points with a 1-0 victory over Dunfermline thanks to Peter Pawlett’s first half strike.

By Ian Isbister

United went into tonight’s game with Dunfermline Athletic with the chance to close the gap with league leaders Ross County down to just two points, albeit having played two games more. Considering the Highlanders had been 11 points ahead just a matter of 7 days ago shows the Championship was still within United’s grasp. Saturday’s 2-1 win against Alloa Athletic may have been a nervy affair but at this stage of the season it’s the points that matter.

Manager Robbie Neilson made four changes from the team that started against Alloa at the weekend. Fans' favourite Safranko made a welcome return after his international duties with Slovakia. Harkes, Seaman and Pawlett were all promoted from last week’s bench, whilst Clark, Stanton and Watson become substitutes and Cammy Smith drops out of the side altogether through injury.

Unsurprisingly, Stevie Crawford picked the same starting eleven that played in Dunfermline’s last game, against Alloa on the 9th March. Postponements and the international break had paused the Pars' fine run of five successive wins and, just as importantly, five straight clean sheets. This impressive run of matches had seen the Fifers rise up to 5th in the Championship, just two points behind Inverness, and well in the hunt for that elusive Play-Off spot. 

First Half - United kicked off in this re-arranged fixture, shooting towards the Norrie McCathie stand, both sides knowing the importance that 3 points would make to their season, and clearly neither side looking to make any mistakes in the opening exchanges. 

It was the home side who had the first chance of the game in the 13th minute. Louis Longridge’s right foot shot was saved well by Siegrist in the United goal, diving down to his right hand post. 

The Pars continued to have the best of the possession in the opening 20 minutes, with both Longridge brothers being the main instigators of Dunfermline’s chances.
Despite the Pars having the upper hand, it was United who took the lead after 24 minutes. A break up the park led to the bold Safranko playing in Pawlett on the left side of the Dunfermline box. As he breenged into the box, his right foot shot was expertly guided past Scully to put United 1-0 ahead. The visitors nearly doubled their lead just four minutes later when a Safranko shot was cleared off the line.

It may have taken United 20 minutes to get into the match, but they now had their tails up and were looking to take control of this game. Two great saves in the 33rd minute by Scully in the Dunfermline goal kept United at bay again, the first from Pawlett, and then from Safranko. The 1,300 travelling Arabs were enjoying this attack minded display from United as they roared their side on.

On 41 minutes, it was McMullan’s turn to pile on the pressure. From an acute angle his cross was the perfect height for Safranko. The Slovakian’s bullet header flew just past the post.

Second Half - Stevie Crawford’s team had clearly been fired up by the gaffer’s half time team talk as they came out for the second 45 minutes on the front foot, Thomson and Craigen linking up well for the home side in the opening moments of the second half.

Like the first half, it took United a little time to find their feet. In 50 minutes it was Safranko again who was giving the home side problems. The Slovakian won the ball three times in and around the Dunfermline defence before finally unleashing a fierce drive towards Scully, which the keeper had to force out for a corner. The international experience had clearly given the loanee a renewed vigour and his performance was showing the travelling support what they’d been missing these last two matches. In 55 minutes, Safranko’s efforts were almost rewarded with the all important second goal as his header from a Booth cross was just wide. For all their pressure United just couldn’t find the second goal which would put some daylight between themselves and the Pars.

On 68 minutes, Safranko won a free-kick on the edge of the box after a foul on him by Ashcroft. Pawlett’s delivery was good and his cross was met by Safranko who was unlucky to head just over, skimming the bar in the process. United now had to play down the clock and just like they showed in the Alloa game, they were learning to see out games with clever gamesmanship and keeping possession. 

With one minute left of normal time, Safranko’s night was summed up when he chased a seemingly lost ball and forced keeper Scully to put the ball out for a corner. Terrific pressing from the striker who was enjoying one of his best games in a United strip.

As the final whistle blew, the United fans could finally celebrate a hard night’s work from their heroes. The gap to Ross County is now down to two points and keeps United firmly in the hunt for the title. A home tie against Queen of the South on Saturday awaits as the Scottish Championship reaches its nail biting conclusion.

Man of the Match - Safranko. Worked tirelessly all night and gave his all in the difficult one up front position. 

Dunfermline - Scully, Craigen, Ashcroft, Devine, J. Longridge, Higginbotham (Bakhtaoui 70 mins), Beidling, Thomson, Blair (Todd 78 mins),L. Longridge (Hippolyte), Anderson, 

Subs not used - Gill (GK), Williamson, Durnan,  Vincent, 

Dundee United - Siegrist, Booth, McMullan (Clark 78 mins),Safranko, Robson, Butcher, Bouhenna, Reynolds, Harkes, Seaman (Watson 86 mins), Pawlett (Pawlett 70 mins),

Subs not used - Laidlaw (GK), Fyvie, Gomis, Nesbitt,