Relief For Craig Levein.....

With only 4 points separating 4 sides at the bottom of the SPL table, Dundee United were hoping that both Falkirk & Aberdeen could do them a small favour this weekend.

If Dunfermline managed to get a result against Aberdeen & Motherwell beat Falkirk, it could plunge Dundee United back to the bottom of the SPL table again.

Even with a game outstanding against Saint Mirren on Sunday, Craig Levein would rather his side didn`t going into the match in 12th place in the table, because the confidence of the United side is very fragile at the moment.

Then, just after 3:30pm, Craig Levein got a boost with the news that Falkirk had taken the lead at Fir Park through Anthony Stokes.

Motherwell 0-1 Falkirk
Dunfermline 0-0 Aberdeen

However, Motherwell manager Maurice Malpas would never let his side just give-up after going a goal down and just before half-time they equalised through a Richie Foran penalty, after Steven Thomson handled the ball in the penalty box.

Motherwell 1-1 Falkirk
Dunfermline 0-0 Aberdeen

At East End Park, Aberdeen were struggling to break down Dunfermline and with both matches ending up draws at half-time it looked like Dundee United would play on Sunday in 10th place, just a point off bottom of the table.

Although, Motherwell had other ideas and shortly after the restart, Ritchie Foran popped-up to score another penalty after Keith Lasley was brought down by Falkirk`s Kenny Milne in the penalty box.

Motherwell 2-1 Falkirk
Dunfermline 0-0 Aberdeen

That goal put the Steelmen 2-1 infront, a result that would drop United to 11th in the SPL, provided Dunfermline didn`t get the result against Aberdeen....

Then, the news came through…there had been a goal at East End park, had Dunfermline taken the lead? Would Levein`s side plunge to the bottom of the SPL at quarter to five?

Motherwell 2-1 Falkirk
Dunfermline 0-1 Aberdeen

Phew, the relief, Aberdeen had finally gone into the lead thanks to a goal from former United player, Lee Miller, a player who was released by Dundee United because he couldn`t score - but had suddenly re-found his form under Jimmy Calderwood at Pittodrie.

Could Lee Miller do something right for Dundee United, could his goal keep Craig Levein`s side off the bottom of the table? Over half an hour to go, and things are on a knife edge....

Suddenly, another former United player gave Arabs something to shout about, as another player released from Tannadice equalized for the Bairns - as Russell Latapy scored his 5th goal of the season to make it 2-2 at Fir Park.

Motherwell 2-2 Falkirk
Dunfermline 0-1 Aberdeen

But the joy was short lived, as Scott McDonald put Motherwell straight back into the lead only 3 minutes later, making it 3-2.

Motherwell 3-2 Falkirk
Dunfermline 0-1 Aberdeen

Meanwhile, 6,501 supporters were watching Aberdeen desperately trying to hold onto their 1-0 advantage as Dunfermline piled on the pressure with chance, after chance, after chance.

Greg Shields, Scott Wilson and Owen Morrison had chances, but couldn`t keep them on target.....then, more bad news for Levein as Falkirk went a man down after one of their best players, Anthony Stokes, is sent off with 15minutes to go after being booked for unsporting conduct and then sent off for a 2nd bookable offence 2 minutes later for diving.

The sweat was probably pouring off Levein, until 10 minutes before full-time at East End Park, as Darren Mackie sealed the win for Aberdeen by putting them 2 goals infront, not even Dunfermline could comeback from that one with less than 10minutes remaining....or could they?

Motherwell 3-2 Falkirk
Dunfermline 0-2 Aberdeen

No, they couldn`t, as Aberdeen capitalised on Dunfermline`s lapse in concentration to pile on the misery with a 2nd goal from Darren Mackie.

Motherwell 3-2 Falkirk
Dunfermline 0-3 Aberdeen

By now it seemed certain that Dundee United would kick-off against Saint Mirren in 11th place in the table, which might not put as much pressure on Levein`s side, but it could mean that a result for Gus MacPherson would leave a significant gap of 5 points between United and Saints in 9th place.

Then, 4,970 fans saw Motherwell cement their win over Falkirk with a headed goal from Calum Elliot in the 83rd minute of that game, confirming the Steelmen would leap-frog United in the table.

Full time
Motherwell 4-2 Falkirk
Dunfermline 0-3 Aberdeen

Relief for Craig Levein that United aren`t bottom of the table again, but the result means that United need at least a point from the St Mirren match to keep us away from the dangers of the relegation spot and also to seal a 3rd home win on the trot.

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