Dundee United 2 Dunfermline 1

United are through to the semi-finals of the Play-offs after McDonald and Stanton’s goals see off a spirited Dunfermline.

By Ian Isbister

United went into tonight’s game with the tie perfectly poised after Tuesday night’s 0-0 draw at East End Park in the first leg of this Premiership Quarter Final play-off. Manager Csaba Laszlo made two changes from the first leg, with Paul McMullan and Sam Stanton coming into the starting 11 instead of Thomas Mikkelsen and Grant Gillespie whilst Matty Smith takes the place of Emil Lyng on the bench for United. Lee Ashcroft was available for the Pars after appealing his straight red card against United in the first leg. Dunfermline made one change from Tuesday’s game with Andy Ryan out injured. Declan McManus stepped up from the bench to replace Ryan. With no away goals rule for tonight’s game, there was the possibility of extra time and penalties to determine the winner.
Just like Tuesday’s first leg, the opening exchanges were nervy as both sides look to settle into the game. United’s first corner came after five minutes when Stanton’s through ball to McMullan was cut out by Morris. The resulting corner was cleared by Dunfermline but United were keeping up the pressure and were now taking control of the game. Another United attack down the left wing saw McMullan fouled. Fraser’s tantalising cross was aimed at McDonald but he was deemed to have fouled Ashcroft. Dunfermline were next to attack and it was to lead to the opening goal of the game. Talbot’s cross was aimed at the near post and McManus was able to cut in ahead of Mohsni to put the Pars ahead after 14 minutes. Dunfermline continued to be on the front foot and were nearly two in front when Mohsni threw his body in front of Higginbotham to clear. Despite continued pressure from the Fifers, the United defence kept their discipline. In 35 minutes Deniz was called into action in the United goal. Despite looking offside, Dunfermline’s Declan McManus found himself through on goal one on one with the United goalkeeper, but his shot was saved by the legs of the oncoming Deniz. Straight up the other end and a long range effort by Sam Stanton went narrowly wide through the legs of Scott McDonald who, knowing he was in an offside position, allowed the ball to trickle past from just three yards out. On the stroke of half time Dunfermline came agonisingly close again as Aird’s cross into the United box was met with a powerful header from Nicky Clark. Fortunately for United his header came crashing off the crossbar. As referee William Collum brought the first half to a close, the United players might have felt fortunate to be just one goal behind.

Manager Csaba Laszlo made an immediate change as the two sides returned for the second half. With a goal needed to keep United in the tie, Thomas Mikkelsen replaced McMullan, who had been injured in the first half. The midfield area of the park was the busier in the first 10 minutes of the second half, with neither side able to make any clear cut chances. The introduction of Mikkelsen saw the great Dane start to win balls in the air, and in 57 minutes it was his influence which led to United’s equaliser. A United corner was conceded by Dunfermline’s Lewis Martin. The resulting set-piece was whipped in by Billy King, knocked on by Mikkelsen into the oncoming McDonald whose right foot shot from the middle of the box flew past Robinson in the Pars goal. 1-1, and all to play for. Unfortunately for Deniz in the United goal, his celebrating of the equaliser resulted in what appeared to be an ankle injury and he was quickly replaced by Harry Lewis in goal. The game was now frantic and end to end. Lewis was quickly called into action when Clark’s header was tipped past his left hand post in 66 mins. United were now right back in this match and were unlucky when Murdoch’s header was just over the bar from King’s corner. The breakthrough for United came in 70 mins when Sam Stanton picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box. Making his way towards the Dunfermline goal his cool composed finish past Robinson into the net sent the Arabs wild. From being a goal down and facing a relentless Dunfermline attack, United now found themselves 2-1 ahead with 20 minutes left. With 10 mins remaining United were looking to put the tie to bed. Scott Fraser, who before the game had been urged by his manager to keep things simple, did just that when finding himself 20 yards from goal. With no Dunfermline defender’s pressing he took his shot from the edge of the box and was unlucky to see Robinson save his effort. In 86 minutes, the Arabs' hearts were in their mouths as what can only be described as a ‘stramash’ in the United defence resulted in several defenders valiantly throwing themselves in front of two Dunfermline shots on goal. The groans and moans could be heard down Arklay Street as the Fourth official indicated five minutes of injury time. To their credit, the United players made sure they kept possession for as much of the five minutes as possible, Flood in particular showing his vast experience in winding down the game. As William Collum blew the final whistle at 2-1 to United, there can have been no bigger roar heard around Tannadice this season. As United march into the semi-final play offs against Livingston, more of tonight’s second-half display will be required to ensure progress to the final.

Dundee United - Deniz (Lewis 62), Murdoch, McMullan (Mikkelsen 45), McDonald, Fraser, King (Durnan 88), Stanton, Flood ©, Robson, Ralston, Mohsni

Subs not used -  Edjenguele, Slater, Gillespie, Smith

Dunfermline Athletic - Robinson, Williamson, Martin, Morris ©, Ashcroft, Higginbotham (M’Voto 74), McManus, Clark, Aird, Vincent, Craigan (Cardle 84),

Subs not used - Gill (GK), Wedderburn, Armstrong, Talbot, Paton,

Referee - William Collum
Assistant Referees - Sean Carr and Kylie Cockburn
Fourth Official - Mike Roncone

Attendance - 7,994