Pars 1 Dundee United 2

FORMER Par Chris Mochrie returned to haunt his former team-mates as he struck a dramatic late winner for Dundee United at KDM Group East End Park tonight.

The midfielder, who was on loan with the club last season during their League One title-winning campaign, leapt off the bench to score with four minutes to go and send the visitors seven points clear at the top of the Championship.

That came after last week's two-goal hero, Owen Moffat, had hauled Dunfermline level early in the second half after Kai Fotheringham's header put Jim Goodwin's men ahead at the break.

Dunfermline, who welcomed back Matty Todd and Kane Ritchie-Hosler from injury during the second period, but lost goalkeeper, Deniz Mehmet, and Michael O'Halloran to knocks in the first, battled gamely and were a match for United throughout.

However, Mochrie's late strike was the difference, sending the hosts to an unfortunate loss, and McPake commented: "I'm bitterly disappointed. It's another defeat at home in a game that we put a lot into. Dundee United are a decent enough team but for spells in that game we more than matched them. I'm disappointed not to come away with anything.

"I was relatively pleased with the first half, but we didn't create many chances, we didn't really threaten them nearly enough. And we gave them a few cheap chances, that was the difference. I'll need to watch the game back, it's raw but I don't think we needed a response. We needed to tidy up on certain aspects of the game, cause them more problems."

Home boss McPake made two changes to his starting line-up following last Friday night's win at Cappielow.

Craig Wighton, who scored in August's draw between the teams at Tannadice, was restored to the side alongside Michael O'Halloran, with Lewis McCann and Alex Jakubiak dropping to the bench.

There, they were joined by Ritchie-Hosler - an unused substitute at Morton - and Todd, who has been absent since a Viaplay Cup tie against Annan Athletic in July.

The recovery of both players to be back in the matchday squad was a boost to McPake, and the Pars supporters, who saw their team come up against a United side unbeaten after 12 Championship games to sit top of the league.

Two players who were at East End on loan previously - Ross Graham, and Mochrie, the latter of whom won League One with the Pars last season - were on the bench as Jim Goodwin's men sought to extend their lead over second-top Raith Rovers to seven points ahead of Saturday's fixtures.

Ahead of kick off, East End paid its respects to the fallen, with representatives of both clubs laying a wreath in the centre circle, ahead of the last post being played a moment of silence.

After that, the action got under way, and Kai Fotheringham went looking for a penalty as Mehmet came off his line to meet him and a through ball, with Ewan Otoo covering.

The ball was cleanly won by the Pars defender, and Fotheringham's acrobatics over the keeper, and attempts to plead his case to referee, Chris Graham, rightly fell on deaf ears, before Tony Watt headed the resultant corner well off-target.

It was a pretty cagey opening, although Sam Fisher and Aaron Comrie were amongst the home players swarming around Glenn Middleton to block from six yards, after he attempted an audacious backheel after a crisp Tangerines move, whilst O'Halloran had an effort blocked at the other end.

That, though, would be the former St Johnstone man's main contribution as, midway through the half, he was subbed off for McCann after being hurt in a challenge.

Paul Allan called Jack Walton, who had earlier raced from his box to intercept a ball intended for Wighton, into action with a curling effort, whilst the latter saw a shot deflected behind by Kevin Holt after a good break upfield, and fine hold-up and link play from McCann.

Two minutes later, though, United hit the front.

They crossed from the left and, after the ball fell to Grimshaw at the edge of the box, he fired towards goal.

Mehmet beat the ball away but Fotheringham was lurking to head home the rebound from close range.

That goal was harsh on Dunfermline, who had more than held their own in a tight contest, and they almost suffered a blow just before half-time.

After Craig Sibbald shot wide of target, Mehmet slipped as he took the goal kick, and the loose ball was seized upon by Louis Moult.

His touch was heavy, and allowed the keeper to race from his line to try and retrieve the situation, but the two players collided as Mehmet clutched the ball.

It was a genuine attempt by Moult but, unfortunately for Mehmet, he had to be substituted at half-time for Harry Sharp.

"To be fair to Deniz, he was desperate to come back out, but when he stood up he stumbled and felt a bit light-headed," McPake said.

"We're never going to take any chances with that and I'm glad the doctor saw it and Deniz was honest enough to say he felt like that, hence the delay at the start of the second half.

"We'll assess him over the next couple of days and make sure he's okay."

McCann had an early second half penalty appeal turned down, before Sharp produced a fine stop from Moult's header.

Then, eight minutes into the second half, Dunfermline equalised.

It was a brilliant break, led by Moffat, and with McCann in support, he used his team-mate as a decoy to send a covering United defender to the floor before stroking home a lovely finish from just inside the box.

That, however, was his last involvement as he then made way for Todd - in what was clearly a pre-planned change - as the Pars looked to build on that momentum, with Josh Edwards firing wide.

Moult was again denied by Sharp as the visitors looked to respond, and, with 15 minutes to go, Ritchie-Hosler was introduced for Dunfermline, in place of Comrie.

United sub, Declan Glass, sent a hopeful effort wide as the clock ticked into the final 10 minutes, before Middleton flashed a decent strike across goal and off-target.

However, with seven minutes to go, United scored a goal that put a dagger into Dunfermline hearts - and it was Mochrie who inflicted the fatal wound.

It was all too simple for the visitors to work the ball into the box and the midfielder, who didn't overly celebrate, sent a shot into the top corner at the near post beyond the despairing hand of Sharp.

Dunfermline, though, kept going and, after Declan Gallagher chopped down Jakubiak, McCann rippled the side-netting with a free-kick as they searched for an equaliser.

They couldn't find it, however, as they suffered a fifth defeat of the season.

Match stats

Pars: Mehmet (Sharp 45), Comrie (Ritchie-Hosler 75), Fisher, Hamilton, Otoo, Edwards, Chalmers, O'Halloran (McCann 22), Allan, Moffat (Todd 55), Wighton (Jakubiak 60).

Subs not used: Fenton, Little.

Goal: Moffat (53).

Booked: Otoo (65), Hamilton (67), Sharp (82), McCann (83), McPake (84).

Dundee United: Walton, Holt, Grimshaw, Moult, Sibbald, Middleton, Tillson (Mochrie 70), Fotheringham (Glass 61), Gallagher, Watt (Cudjoe 61), McCann.

Subs not used: Denham, Graham, Freeman, Duffy, Stirton, Newman.

Goals: Fotheringham, Mochrie (86).

Booked: Tillson (70), Moult (87), Gallagher (90).

Referee: Chris Graham.

Att 7,237.