Dunfermline 3-1 Dundee Utd

Brewster's was inspirational for Dunfermline against United

Craig Brewster returned to inspire Dunfermline to a comfortable Scottish Cup victory over Premier League rivals Dundee United.

Brewster, having recovered from a shoulder injury, set up Stevie Crawford for the second of the Scotland striker's two first-half goals.

Derek McInnes pulled one back for United before the break.

But Brewster scored his side's third himself after combining with Crawford to secure a fourth-round place.

Striker Craig Brewster returned to the side after his shoulder injury, while defender Scott Wilson and captain Scott Thomson also returned to the side after illness and suspension.

Injury-hit United found places for Craig Easton and Charlie Miller as they were without first-team regulars Jim McIntyre and Barry Robson through injury and Chris Innes and Mark Kerr through suspension.

Dunfermline got the breakthrough they wanted after only 16 minutes.

Brewster started the sweeping move with a ball wide to Derek Young, who made it all happen with a wonderful crossfield pass to the back post.

Gary Dempsey intelligently touched the ball first time into the path of Crawford, who made no mistake from eight yards.

The home side were then forced into the game's first change, as McCracken went off to be replaced with Jim Paterson.

There were claims for a penalty when Dempsey, chasing a Nicholson pass, went down in the box under a challenge from Alan Archibald.

United's passing was poor and they were made to pay nine minutes from half-time as a woeful blunder by visiting defender Alan Archibald gifted the Pars a second.

The former Partick player swiped at a simple long through ball from Brewster, allowing Crawford to run clear on goal and the Scotland striker cut inside Stuart Duff and coolly slotted into the bottom corner of the net.

United roared back three minutes later, when Mark Wilson's cross deflected high into the heart of the penalty area.

Andy McLaren beautifully cushioned the ball into the path of skipper McInnes and the midfielder cracked a wonderful volley past Derek Stillie to give his side hope.

Dunfermline had to replace injured forward Derek Young at half-time, being replaced with Lee Bullen.

But the home side continued to dominate possession and restored their two-goal lead only five minutes into the second half.

Brewster fooled just about everyone in the ground with a brilliant turn in the centre circle before feeding Crawford wide on the left.

The Scotland international superbly picked out Brewster, who had run 50 yards to get on the end of the cross, and he volleyed across the goal and past Gallacher's despairing dive.

United almost got back into the game when Billy Dodds stole in at the back post to direct a header on target from a narrow angle, but Stillie clutched the effort to his chest.

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Dunfermline: Stillie, Nicholson, Scott Wilson, Skerla, Scott Thomson, Dempsey (Tod 80), Darren Young, Mason, Derek Young (Bullen 45), Crawford (Hunt 67), Brewster. Subs Not Used: Scott Y Thomson, McNicol.

Dundee United: Gallacher, Wilson, McCracken (James Paterson 20), Archibald, Duff, Easton, McInnes, Miller (Holmes 81), McLaren, Samuel (Scotland 57), Dodds. Subs Not Used: Jarvie, Anderson.

Attendance: 6,164
Referee: H Dallas

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