Dundee United had a special salute for captain Maurice Malpas before kick-off
for taking part in his 800th game for the home side, but inspiration was lacking
in a match both sides needed to win in their respective battles against
relegation.
The visitors, without three suspended players, gave a debut to 17-year-old
Chris McGroaty as they set out to end a run of four draws out of their last five
visits to Tannadice.
And it was Dunfermline who threatened first when Andy Smith flicked the ball
to winger George Shaw, who sent a low ball across for McGroaty.
The youngster was dispossessed by Tonny Mols, though, depriving him of a dream
start.
The first real chance fell for the visitors when Gavin Johnson played a long
ball for David Graham, but under pressure from keeper Sieb Dykstra and Jason de
Vos the ex-Rangers striker was forced wide and shot the ball past the post.
Shaw was again in action when yet another low ball forced Malpas into a far
post clearance with McGroaty again the nearest man.
In the 25th minute Kjell Olofsson brought out a brilliant save from Lee Butler
with a slightly deflected 25-yard free-kick.
Back came the visitors and yet another low Shaw cross broke off a home
defender for Andy Smith but Neil Duffy got in a last gasp tackle to save the day
for the home side.
United almost went ahead on the half-hour mark when Olofsson swung a free-kick
to the far post and Joe Miller headed the ball back for de Vos to nod the ball
goalwards but, with the keeper beaten, Greg Shields managed to clear off the
line.
Ex-Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Siggi Jonsson and Malpas then
provided another chance for Olofsson but he shot past the post from 25 yards.
The Swede made no mistake, however in the 33rd minute when de Vos got his head
to a Miller corner and Olofsson was able to head flick the ball into the net
from close range for his fourth goal of the season.
He was obviously in the mood now and a fierce 25-yard drive forced Butler into
a full length save to push the ball past the post.
The home side were shocked immediately after the interval when Dunfermline
equalised with last season's goal hero skipper Andy Smith doing the necessary.
Johnson took a free-kick and picked out the towering Andy Tod at the far post
and when he headed the ball across goal Smith was at the far post to shoot in
from a narrow angle.
Richard Huxford was booked for a foul on the impressive Jonsson, then Shields
did well to head out a dangerous Olofsson cross.
United had a chance to regain the lead when Malpas broke forward and found top
scorer Billy Dodds but from 20 yards the striker shot well over the bar.
The visitors also had their chances and a McGroaty cross found Graham 10 yards
out but his header failed to trouble the home keeper.
There were two bookings with a minute when Jamie Squires and Jonsson were
yellow carded for fouls on Erik Pedersen and Huxford, respectively.
In the last five minutes the home side had chances but youngster Steve
Thompson squandered both of them and a point apiece would probably satisfy no
one.
Teams:
Dundee Utd: Dykstra, Malpas, Jonsson, Pedersen, Olofsson,
Dodds (Mathie 70), Miller (Paterson 67), Duffy, Thompson, De Vos,
Mols (Zetterlund 74).
Subs Not Used: Skoldmark, Gallacher.
Booked: Jonsson.
Goals: Olofsson 33.
Dunfermline: Butler, Shields, Tod, French, Huxford, Smith,
Johnson, Shaw (Fraser 89), Squires, Graham (Templeman 83),
McGroaty (Edinho 73).
Subs Not Used: Westwater, Ireland.
Booked: Huxford, Squires.
Goals: Smith 46.
Att: 7,646
Ref: H Dallas (Motherwell).
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