Dundee United survived a spirited Dunfermline comeback to claim all three points and strengthen their grip on fifth place in the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

Jimmy Calderwood's Tennent's Scottish Cup finalists were uncharacteristically disorganised in defence during the first half, allowing Charlie Miller, Chris Innes and Jason Scotland to fire the Tannadice side into a commanding lead within 30 minutes.

However, the Fifers fought back and reduced the deficit to one thanks to goals from Lee Bullen and Stevie Crawford.

They were more competitive throughout the second 45 minutes, but the serious damage was already inflicted in a hapless half hour that will give Calderwood serious problems so close to the important Hampden date.

For United, it was a successful if at times jittery outing which also saw midfielder Craig Easton, who has served the club loyally for nine years, make his final appearance in front of the home fans before departing in the summer.

Ian McCall's side bombed forward from the outset and had a very strong penalty claim denied in the fifth minute when Miller was stopped in his tracks by a combination of Andrius Skerla and Gary Mason.

Both Dunfermline players went in on the former Rangers man at the same time, causing him to go crashing to the turf.

However, his fall to earth was rather more dramatic than it needed to be, so referee Mike McCurry quickly beckoned for him to get to his feet.

The playmaker was not to be denied and was on the scoresheet within three minutes.

He was perfectly positioned to bundle the ball into the net from six yards out after Skerla failed to clear Collin Samuel's cut-back.

United's Trinidadian connection should have sent them further ahead on the quarter hour when Scotland bolted free of the defence and laid an open goal at Samuel's mercy.

The hapless ex-Falkirk man somehow contrived to hit the ball off a defender and wide of the post from point-blank range.

The home side's concerted pressure forced the second goal which came in the 23rd minute through Innes.

The centre-half was a yard out to nod the ball into the net after Barry Robson's wicked corner kick zipped past a host of players with the merest hint of a flick on from Scotland, whose presence had left Dunfermline's defence flat-footed.

United added a third on the half hour after being gifted a goal by some truly slapstick defending from Calderwood's side.

First Andy Tod was short with a back pass, allowing Scotland to pressurise Derek Stillie as he went to clear.

The goalkeeper, who is out of contract in the summer, panicked and rushed his kick, but only found Aaron Labonte's heel.

The ball then flew behind them all, allowing Scotland to collect it and simply walk towards the unguarded net to score.

Dunfermline, to their credit, soon got the goal they needed to keep the game alive as a contest.

Bullen, another of the Pars' out-of-contract players, headed home Dempsey's cross from 10 yards.

They added another, 26 seconds after the break, through Crawford.

The Scotland man found space and was perfectly placed to head Derek Young's cross from the right into the bottom corner.

United regained their composure after the shock of losing such an early goal and played down the time to earn three deserved points.

Teams

Dundee Utd Gallacher, Wilson, Innes, McCracken, Archibald, Kerr, McInnes (Easton 39), Miller, Robson, Samuel (Dodds 81), Scotland (Duff 90).

Subs Not Used: Bullock, Conway.

Goals: Miller 8, Innes 23, Scotland 30.

Dunfermline Stillie, Skerla, Tod (Kilgannon 84), Bullen, Derek Young, Nicholson, Mason (Shields 45), Dempsey, Labonte, Crawford, Hunt, Shields (Grondin 64).

Subs Not Used: Scott Thomson, Kay.

Booked: Derek Young, Nicholson, Hunt.

Goals: Bullen 34, Crawford 46.

Att: 5,998

Ref: M McCurry (Scotland).