Dunfermline 1 - 4 Dundee United: Four-goal blitz provides Houston with answers

Dundee United manager Peter Houston may now have been given some tangible support from his employers but this victory over bogey side Dunfermline at East End Park provided him – and his beleaguered side – welcome relief on the pitch.

First-half goals from Paul Dixon and Lauri Dalla Valle looked to have the visitors on easy street against their opponents who had Gary Mason red-carded for a challenge on Johnny Russell which referee Steven O’Reilly adjudged to have been dangerous.

As is often the case, the side reduced to ten men rallies and, sure enough, Andy Kirk netted ten minutes into the second-half to reduce the deficit.

Dunfermline, who won 1-0 at Tannadice earlier in the season and had not lost to Dundee United in seven matches, threatened a comeback before goals from Russell and Gary Mackay-Steven secured a victory which was not as comfortable as the scoreline suggested for a United side forced to field striker Jon Daly in defence to cover for the absent Garry Kenneth.

Nonetheless, Houston was pleased to see his side pick up an important three points as well as showing an eye for goal after the midweek defeat at home by Falkirk on penalties in the Scottish Communities League Cup. The win hoisted the Tangerines up to eighth place in the SPL, overtaking Aberdeen and Hibernian.

“To score four goals at Dunfermline, which is a very tough place, is great credit to the players,” he added. “We have played three times this week and played well in each game. The sending-off had a bearing in the match but we were winning before that occurred. We continued to create chances and knocked the ball about well.”

Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre was frustrated after his team again failed to win a home league fixture. The Pars have yet to register three points at East End Park since their promotion from Division One.

“I couldn’t have asked any more of the players in the second half, they showed great commitment,” he said. “Losing the first goal made our task harder though and the sending-off was a turning point. We got the goal and they were rattled for a bit, United have some quality players though and they hurt us on the break. It’s going to be a long season and there is a bit of a gulf between ourselves and some of the more established teams who have more experienced players in their squads.”

McIntyre was angry at the dismissal of Mason after 25 minutes and, after watching the incident back on video, he was even more was certain that referee O’Reilly got the decision wrong.

“Gary said he slid along the ground and won the ball, I have looked at it on the television and that’s exactly what happened – I’m certain we will win the appeal,” he insisted.