The young Terrors took a long time to make their superiority count against an industrious Dunfermline side at Glebe Park tonight with all three goals coming in the second half.
By Peter Rundo
The Tannadice side were forced into an early substitution after 29 minutes when full back Jamie Robson was stretchered off and replaced by Reghan Tumity.
Against the run of play, it was the Pars who almost took the lead after 33 minutes.
A through ball found James Thomas in space, but United keeper Ryan Booth beat his shot down with Robbie Crawford firing the rebound over.
On the hour mark United finally threatened with Ali Coote playing in Ola Adeyemo whose low drive was diverted for a corner by the foot of keeper Josh Dunn.
A minute later, a Spark shot was blocked as the Tangerines turned up the heat.
Their pressure was rewarded on 62 minutes when Graham Taylor directed a Tumilty cross from the right into the top corner.
Five minutes later a great run by Justin Johnson almost brought United a second, cutting inside from the bye-line only for his shot to be diverted past the near post.
But Johnson wasn’t to be denied, firing a penalty high into the net after he had been brought down by Stuart Morrison after 77 minutes.
And with six minutes left, new signing Jassem Sukar headed the third following a corner.
Dundee United: Booth, Spark, Robson (Tumilty 29), Horne (Allardice 82), H Souttar, Sukar, Johnson, B Smith, Adeyemo, Coote (Davie 71), Taylor.
Subs not used: McNaughton, Ritchie.
Dunfermline Athletic: Dunn, Spence, McLair, Orru, Morrison, Luke (Duncan 63), Henderson (Sutherland 70), Galloway, Crossan, Thomas, Crawford (Smith 78).
Subs not used: Gill, Kirkland.