Dundee United striker Stevie Crawford returned to haunt his former club with a barely-deserved equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Dunfermline at East End Park.

Striker Jesper Christiansen's first goal for the Fifers in the 44th minute gave the home side a single-goal lead at the break.

But, despite controlling large spells of the game, the Pars could not grab the elusive second which would have secured the points.

And, in the 72nd minute, they were made to pay for their carelessness in front of goal when Crawford bundled home a Barry Robson header from close range.

But, just 25 seconds into the game, the home side could have been in trouble when Crawford got on to the end of a Mark Wilson cross from the right.

But the Scotland international's header from eight yards out was comfortably saved by Pars' keeper Derek Stillie.

Then, in the fifth minute, United midfielder Robson came close when he ghosted into the box unmarked and skimmed a Mark Kerr cross inches past the far post.

Moments later, however, it was the Fifers who almost got the breakthrough when Christiansen fed Gary Mason at the edge of the United box.

But the midfielder's first-time drive cannoned off the far post before being eventually cleared to safety.

The Fifers were moving with purpose and ex-Hearts player Lee Makel was dominating the midfield along with Barry Nicholson and Mason.

The Taysiders were struggling to contain Dunfermline as the first half progressed.

But, although Dunfermline continued to dominate the match, too often the final pass or cross went astray.

However, in the 44th minute, the home side got the goal their pressure deserved when, following a Gary Dempsey cross which was headed goalwards by defender Andy Tod, striker Noel Hunt challenged United keeper Tony Bullock inside the six-yard box.

When the ball broke free two yards from goal, Christiansen lifted the ball into the roof of the net for his first goal for the Fifers.

United boss Ian McCall replaced defender David McCracken for midfielder Grant Brebner and reverted to three at the back.

In the 58th minute, there was a loud appeal for a penalty when Robson appeared to handle in his own penalty area but referee Craig Thomson ignored the vociferous Pars' pleas.

On the hour mark, Dunfermline midfielder Dempsey popped up to fire a right-footed shot from just outside the area well wide of the mark.

In the 62nd minute, a Nicholson corner from the right was met by Scott Thomson 10 yards from goal and the captain's header was goal-bound until it was blocked by United midfielder Mark Kerr on the line.

Moments later, the home side should have doubled their lead after nice work in the United penalty area by Christiansen set up Makel 16 yards from goal.

The Pars' playmaker scuffed his shot and it fell to Hunt at the back post but somehow the Irishman managed to head past from only six yards out.

But, in the 72nd minute, the visitors were back level again with their first real attack of the second half.

Substitute James Grady, on earlier for Derek McInnes, swung a cross in from the right.

Although Robson's back-post header looped over Stillie and was heading for the net, Crawford helped it over the line before taking the acclaim of the travelling fans behind the goal.

The home side then had to survive a number of scares near the end as they hung on for a point which should have been three.

Teams

Dunfermline Stillie, Labonte, Skerla, Tod, Scott Thomson, Nicholson, Mason, Makel, Dempsey, Hunt (Mehmet 76), Christiansen.

Subs Not Used: Langfield, Darren Young, Campbell, Scullion, Dunn, Ross.

Booked: Hunt, Stillie.

Goals: Christiansen 44.

Dundee Utd Bullock, Wilson, Mair, Ritchie, Archibald, Kerr, McInnes (Grady 64), Brebner (McCracken 45), Robson, McIntyre, Crawford.

Subs Not Used: Jarvie, Scotland, Cameron, Dodds, Robertson.

Goals: Crawford 72.

Att: 6,589

Ref: C Thomson (Scotland).