Dundee Utd 0-1 Dunfermline Ath

Frederic Daquin was Dunfermline's danger man throughout

Freddy Daquin grabbed the winner at Tannadice as Dunfermline Athletic leapfrogged Dundee United into ninth spot in the Scottish Premier League.

United had been the better side, with Jim McIntyre coming close early on.

Collin Samuel was denied three times by superb saves from Pars goalkeeper Allan McGregor, while youngsters Stuart Abbot and Charlie Mulgrew went close.

But French winger Daquin had already fired just over before scoring with an excellent drive from 12 yards.

Both sides have had severe injury problems and Noel Hunt replaced captain Scott Thomson in the Dunfermline starting line-up after Saturday's fine victory away to Motherwell.

Teenagers Abbot, Ross Gardiner and Greg Cameron were called into the United line-up as boss Craig Brewster aimed to prevent a sixth straight defeat.

Pars deal in match-winner Daquin

And the home side created the first chance, with captain Jim McIntyre heading just wide from a Stuart Duff cross.

McIntyre next set up Samuel, but McGregor brilliantly turned the striker's header from point-blank range over the bar.

The goalkeeper saved a low, 25-yard drive from Samuel before Dunfermline created their first chance.

Mark Burchill capitalised on a mistake from Garry Kenneth, but goalkeeper Craig Samson was equal to the in-form forward's drive from a tight angle.

United were still on top and Duff sent a 20-yard volley just wide.

David Fernandez weighted a defence-splitting through ball to Samuel, but the striker's shot from an acute angle six yards from goal was blocked by the feet of McGregor.

Abbot blow as Samson's told to go

Abbot was forced to leave the field of play before half-time after picking up an injury and his place was taken by fellow teenager David Robertson.

But United again started the brighter after the break, with full-back Gardiner sending a left-footed effort from 30 yards across the face of McGregor's goal and just past the far post.

A Mulgrew effort from distance curved just past before Daquin dragged a disappointing shot wide from 12 yards at the other end.

United were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty when Gary Mason appeared to pull down Fernandez as the pair were jostling to get on the end of a Mulgrew cross.

But Daquin continued to look the Pars' most dangerous player and he fired a shot just over the bar in the 69th minute.

And the Frenchman made the breakthrough soon after, sending a left-footed drive high into the top corner.

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Dundee Utd: Samson, Abbot (Robertson 34), McCracken, Kenneth, Gardiner, Duff, Cameron, McIntyre, Mulgrew, Fernandez, Samuel (Miller 62).
Subs Not Used: McLean, McInnes, Easton, Watson, Goodwillie.

Booked: Abbot, Miller.

Dunfermline: McGregor, Labonte, Shields, Scott Wilson, Iain Campbell, Daquin (Craig Wilson 80), Mason, Ross, Hunt, Burchill, Tarachulski (Muirhead 68).
Subs Not Used: Halliwell, McCunnie, Andy Campbell, Simmons, Phinn.

Booked: Mason.

Goal: Daquin 78.

Att: 5,034

Ref: C Thomson