Dunfermline Athletic

  • 3-3-9
  • 9th in Scottish Championship

    Dundee United fight back to beat Dunfermline and keep alive Premiership dream

    Sam Stanton scored the winner as Dundee United came from behind to secure a 2-1 Ladbrokes Premiership play-off victory over Dunfermline.United's promotion hopes were hanging by a thread at half-time after Declan McManus and Nicky Clark failed to convert great chances to add to the former's opening goal of the tie.But United came to life after Scott McDonald's 57th-minute equaliser and Stanton waltzed through the visiting defence to book a place in the semi-finals against Livingston.The visitors had more verve about them from the start, even off the pitch, where their fans were making more noise than a strangely subdued home support in the 7,994 crowd.Dunfermline were rewarded for their positivity in the 14th minute when Fraser Aird turned Anthony Ralston and fired the ball towards the near post where McManus knocked home from a yard out.Ralston was better going forward moments later but McDonald turned the ball just wide from a similar move.United survived a series of balls into their box as the visitors consistently got round the outside of the home defence and the hosts had a massive let-off with 10 minutes left of the half when McManus failed to beat Deniz Mehmet after being played clean through.United had another escape in the final second of the half when Clark headed Aird's cross against the bar from six yards, the striker congratulating Mehmet for getting a touch.Mehmet saved from McManus in the opening moment of the second half and United continued to offer little until forcing a 57th-minute corner. Lee Robinson looked set to catch Thomas Mikkelsen's header following a Billy King delivery but McDonald got a foot to the ball to force it home from underneath the goalkeeper's eyes.The equaliser came at a cost as Mehmet had to be replaced by Harry Lewis after injuring himself while celebrating.The substitute introduced himself with an excellent save from a McManus header as the game opened up and the 20-year-old Southampton loan player made another couple of saves in quick succession.The home team and fans had been lifted by their goal though and they cut the Pars open with a sharp passing move that culminated in Stanton bursting past several players and poking the ball underneath Robinson in the 70th minute.United defended their lead without major concern and now host Livingston on Monday.
    • 7Y
    • PA Sport

      Ten-man Dunfermline hold on for draw against Dundee United

      Ten-man Dunfermline held on to frustrate Dundee United in a goalless draw in the first Scottish Premiership play-off.Neither side was able to gain an upper-hand on a night when the goalkeepers reigned supreme at East End Park.After being forced onto the back foot for much of the game, the visitors dominated the last half hour after Lee Ashcroft was shown a straight red card, but United were unable to make their man advantage count ahead of the second leg on Friday.Deniz Mehmet and Lee Robinson pulled off several stunning saves between them to frustrate the forwards, while Dunfermline also hit the bar in the first-half.It was an open start between two in-form teams, but it was hosts Dunfermline who were on the front foot in the early stages but struggled to make an impression in the final third.The only real chance of a turgid first period came when Declan McManus - an early substitute after injury to Andy Ryan - looped a header against the bar after another fine ball from Fraser Aird, but the Tangerines escaped and made it to the half-time break still level in what was a scrappy half of football.The hosts continued on the front foot after the break and should have taken the lead when Clark failed to connect properly with a free header from six yards out, heading straight at the keeper when he really should have scored.The lively Aird looked to have finally broken the deadlock after 54 minutes but after cutting in and curling towards the far corner, he saw his dipping effort brilliantly tipped over Mehmet.The turning point in the game came moments later as Ashcroft was given his marching orders for bringing down Scott McDonald when the forward was through on goal, and from there, the Tangerines gained the upper-hand and would have been ahead but for a sublime save from Robinson.Scott Fraser had fired wide minutes before a well-worked move down the right saw the ball come out to McDonald, and he thought he had opened the scoring only for the goalkeeper to pull off a spectacular save low to his right.Not to be outdone, Mehmet was called back into action as Clark glanced a header from close-range that again looked to be heading towards the back of the net only for the keeper to once again claw it out.Bilel Mohsni headed over before seeing a volley saved and Anthony Ralston had an effort cleared off the line as the Pars held on to take the tie into Friday's fixtures at 0-0.
      • 7Y
      • PA Sport
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      2024-25 SPFL Championship Standings

      TeamGPWDLGDP
      Falkirk151122+1935
      Livingston14851+929
      Ayr United15843+928
      Partick Thistle14653+823
      Queen's Park15645022
      Raith Rovers14437-515
      Hamilton Academical14437-615
      Greenock Morton14356-814
      Dunfermline Athletic15339-512
      Airdrieonians141211-215

      2024-25 Team Leaders

      Scottish Championship

      Rankings

      Scottish Championship

      Goal Difference
      -5
      Tied-6th
      Goals Scored
      11
      Tied-8th
      Assists
      8
      Tied-7th
      Goals Conceded
      16
      Tied-5th