Tangerines turn it around

Dundee United responded to their recent poor run with a welcome 4-1 victory at ten-man Dunfermline Athletic.

Defender Paul Dixon and on loan striker Lauri Dalla Valle were both on target during the opening quarter and the home side then saw Gary Mason sent-off.

Andy Kirk did pull one back for them early in the second-half but Johnny Russell and substitute Gary Mackay-Steven added further goals for the visitors.

Tangerines manager Peter Houston's future had been the subject of much speculation during the week and he was forced to switch striker Jon Daly into defence.

And the visitors made a bright start with Ryan Dow drilling wide and Gavin Gunning having a free-kick turned aside by Paul Gallacher.

Then on thirteen minutes they went ahead as Dixon half-volleyed into the net after a Willo Flood free-kick.

Goalscorer Dixon turned provider five minutes later when his 25-yard shot struck John Potter and Dalla Valle took advantage with just the keeper to beat.

The situation became even worse for the hosts as Mason was dismissed for a 26th minute challenge on Russell, although they suddenly found a lifeline as Kirk struck from Paddy Boyle's delivery early in the second period.

But that was ultimately ended as Russell drove into the net after Daly was blocked from a 75th minute Mackay-Steven corner before later finding the crossbar and then breaking away and setting up Mackay-Steven for a fourth.

Dunfermline Athletic: Gallacher, Thomson, McCann, Keddie, Boyle (McDougall 68), Potter, Mason, Burns, Easton (Thomson 58), Kirk (Clarke 78), Graham

subs (unused): Smith, Dowie, Young, Willis

Goals: Kirk (55)

Dundee United: Pernis, Dixon, Watson, Daly, Gunning, Flood, Robertson (Armstrong 79), Rankin, Russell, Dalla Valle (Mackay-Steven 53), Dow (Allan 70)

subs (unused): Banks, Douglas, Barrett, Hilson

Goals: Dixon (13), Dalla Valle (18), Russell (75), Mackay-Steven (82)

Ref: O'Reilly

Att: 3,979

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