Dunfermline 1-1 Dundee Utd

Crawford was on target at East End Park

Stevie Crawford returned to score against his old club as Dundee United earned a draw at Dunfermline.

Crawford and Barry Robson both went close with headers for United early on, while Dunfermline's Gary Mason struck the post with a fierce shot.

Jesper Christiansen scored his first Dunfermline goal when he struck from close range in the 44th minute.

But striker Crawford was on hand to nod a goal-bound Robson header over the line in the 72nd minute.

The Pars dominated for long stretches of play but, just 25 seconds into the game, the home side could have been in trouble when Crawford got on to the end of a Mark Wilson cross from the right.

However, the Scotland international's header from eight yards out was comfortably saved by keeper Derek Stillie.

In the fifth minute, United midfielder Robson came close when he ghosted into the box unmarked and skimmed a Mark Kerr cross inches past the far post.

Moments later it was the Fifers who almost got the breakthrough when Christiansen fed Mason at the edge of the United box.

But the midfielder's first-time drive cannoned off the far post.

On the stroke of half-time the home side got the goal their pressure deserved when, following a Gary Dempsey cross which was headed goalwards by defender Andy Tod, striker Noel Hunt challenged United keeper Tony Bullock inside the six-yard box.

When the ball broke free two yards from goal, Christiansen lifted the ball into the roof of the net.

In the 58th minute, there was a loud appeal for a Dunfermline penalty when Robson appeared to handle in his own penalty area but referee Craig Thomson ignored the vociferous Pars' pleas.

In the 62nd minute, a Nicholson corner from the right was met by Scott Thomson 10 yards from goal and the captain's header was goal-bound until it was blocked by United midfielder Mark Kerr on the line.

Moments later, the home side should have doubled their lead after nice work in the United penalty area by Christiansen set up Lee Makel 16 yards from goal.

The Pars' playmaker scuffed his shot and it fell to Hunt at the back post but somehow the Irishman managed to head past from only six yards out.

And Dunfermline were punished when the visitors were back level again with their first real attack of the second half.

Substitute James Grady swung a cross in from the right and although Robson's back-post header looped over Stillie and was heading for the net, Crawford helped it over the line.

The home side then had to survive a number of scares near the end as they hung on for a point which should have been three.

Dunfermline: Stillie, Labonte, Skerla, Tod, Scott Thomson, Nicholson, Mason, Makel, Dempsey, Hunt (Mehmet 76), Christiansen. Subs Not Used: Langfield, Darren Young, Campbell, Scullion, Dunn, Ross.

Booked: Hunt, Stillie. Goals: Christiansen 44.

Dundee Utd: Bullock, Wilson, Mair, Ritchie, Archibald, Kerr, McInnes (Grady 64), Brebner (McCracken 45), Robson, McIntyre, Crawford. Subs Not Used: Jarvie, Scotland, Cameron, Dodds, Robertson.

Goals: Crawford 72.

Att: 6,589

Ref: C Thomson