Dunfermline 1-1 Dundee Utd

McCall thanks McIntyre Hay happy with Pars' start

Jim McIntyre took only seconds to make an impact as a substitute, saving a point for Dundee United against Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park.

Surprise stand-in striker Andy Tod had poked home the opening goal for the Pars shortly after the break.

An excellent save from Derek Stillie prevented a header from Billy Dodds giving United the equaliser.

But, after the Pars missed several chances to extend their lead, McIntyre pounced on a Jason Scotland cross.

Dunfermline had been looking for a boost ahead of Thursday's Uefa Cup tie, but manager Davie Hay refused to risk striker Craig Brewster following a knee operation.

The veteran was on the bench, with Noel Hunt up front alongside the versatile Tod.

Hunt wriggled clear early on only for a heavy touch to allow Chris Innes to block his shot.

United left Saturday-morning signing Paul Ritchie on the bench, with summer signing James Grady handed a competitive debut.

And Grady almost sneaked in for the opening goal in the fifth minute.

Mark Wilson's cross from the right was knocked back across goal for Grady, but the former Dundee man could not send his acrobatic volley on target.

Wilson did well at the other end to prevent a Greg Shields cross reaching Gary Dempsey 14 yards out.

Captain Scott Thomson was escorted off for stitches in a head wound after a clash with Grady and was replaced with Darren Young at half-time.

The Pars took the lead three minutes into the second period.

And it was scored by Tod, who started as a midfielder before moving up front and then back into defence.

Gary Dempsey's shot was blocked and Tod popped up to ram the loose ball into the net from five yards out.

Barry Nicholson blasted over from just eight yards as the Pars came close to a second goal in as many minutes.

But United came close to an equaliser when Jason Scotland's cross was met by the head of Dodds and Derek Stillie saved superbly to concede a corner.

A Nicholson volley deflected into the path of Young, whose own shot struck a United body before slipping five yards wide.

Hunt tried an overhead kick following a Greg Shields cross but struck it five yards wide.

But United equalised after 75 minutes, with McIntyre's first touch after coming on as a substitute.

Gary Mason should have restored the lead, firing wide after being put clear by Young.

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Dunfermline: Stillie, Shields, Scott Wilson, Skerla, Scott Thomson (Darren Young 45), Nicholson, Mason, Dempsey, Byrne, Hunt (Brewster 73), Tod (Mehmet 73).
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Donnelly, Labonte, Campbell.

Booked: Mason, Scott Wilson.

Goal: Tod 48.

Dundee Utd: Bullock, Wilson, McCracken, Innes, Archibald, McInnes, Kerr, Robson (McIntyre 73), Dodds (Samuel 59), Grady, Scotland (Duff 82).
Subs Not Used: Jarvie, Holmes, Ritchie, Conway.

Booked: Innes.

Goal: McIntyre 75.

Attendance: 6,512

Referee: D McDonald