A dynamic double from Scott Fraser, combined with a Dumbarton win over St Mirren, sent Dundee United back to the top of the Championship.
The Tangerines’ playmaker struck on 15 minutes at Tannadice with a sublime 25-yard freekick then fired home the second strike three minutes before half-time.
Dunfermline got a goal back on 75 minutes when Declan McManus netted from the penalty spot but it was Fraser’s silky skills that ensured United capitalised on that shock result in Paisley to overtake the Buddies.
As for the Pars, they continued their dismal run against United and are now seven points behind the league leaders.
United made just the one – enforced – change to the side that started against Brechin, with Paul Quinn coming into the centre of defence in place of the suspended Tam Scobbie.
There was a bit of pre-game drama for the Pars’ Dean Shiels, who was originally named in the starting side but was a late arrival due to traffic delays and was placed on the bench instead.
United’s Fraser had the first chance on three minutes and his shot from the edge of the box was a decent effort without really troubling keeper Sean Murdoch.
There was an embarrassing moment for home player Billy King on six minutes, when he fell on his backside while trying to take a corner.
Two minutes later, Fraser Fyvie stood on the ball near the centre circle and gifted possession to the Pars. McManus burst upfield then fed the pass through to Kallum Higginbotham, who pulled his shot wide of the far post.
There was a great chance for the hosts on 13 minutes when King swung a great cross over from the left. It seemed to land perfectly for McDonald but his first touch was way too heavy and the danger was cleared.
King was at it again just seconds later, playing the ball across the face of goal but finding no takers.
However, the opening goal was merely delayed and it was Fraser who was the home hero on the quarter-of-an-hour.
Fraser was fouled by Jason Talbot just a couple of yards outside the area and he picked himself up, dusted himself down then delivered a beauty of a left-foot shot that gave goalie Sean Murdoch no chance.
Just a couple of minutes later, though, Dunfermline had a terrific opportunity to draw level when McManus crossed from the left to the back post and Higginbotham missed the target when it looked easier to score.
The visitors had another good chance on 26 minutes when United goalie Harry Lewis picked up a Quinn passback inside the box. It was a freekick in a great position but the Pars wasted it as Higginbotham touched the ball to Michael Paton and his strike hit a wall of tangerine bodies.
On 35 minutes, Lewis Martin almost nodded the Fifers level at the back post after a cross from Paton but Lewis pulled off a fine save.
Sam Stanton fired over for United before it was 2-0 to the Tangerines on 42 minutes.
It was Fraser who was the hero again, shooting home with his right foot this time after he was picked out by a Jamie Robson throw-in from the left.
The goal was a shocker defensively for Dunfermline and it was a crime to lose it so close to the break.
It should have been 3-0 to United five minutes after the restart when Sam Stanton was found by a King cross. He should have found the back of the net instead of heading wide.
A King stinging shot was blocked by ex-United man Callum Morris before the visitors made a change, bringing on Fraser Aird for Higginbotham on 55 minutes.
Fraser came within a whisker of his hat-trick on 64 minutes.
He picked the ball up in midfield then went on a marvellous mazy run, dribbling towards goal before unleashing a shot that Murdoch did really well to parry.
United made a switch on 70 minutes, bringing on James Keatings for Stanton, and the sub quickly fired over from a tight angle.
The Pars were then grabbed a lifeline on 75 minutes when they were given a penalty. Robson was the defender who tackled sub Aird as he raced into the box and referee Euan Anderson pointed straight to the spot.
Quinn was booked for time-wasting before McManus stepped up to stroke the ball past Lewis to make it 2-1.
The Pars were pressing now and, with just six minutes left, Aird fired a low shot just wide of the United post.
Keatings then a drive deflected after good build-up play from Fyvie and McDonald as the clocked ticked down.
News then filtered through that St Mirren had lost a late goal to Dumbarton in Paisley and the Tangerines duly resumed their place at the top of the table.
Attendance: 5,790.
Dundee United: Lewis, Murdoch, Durnan, Quinn, McDonald, Fraser (McMullan 90), King, Stanton (Keatings 70), Flood (Edjenguele 90+2), Robson, Fyvie. Subs not used: Deniz, Allardice, Smith, Chalmers.
Dunfermline: Murdoch, Williamson, Martin, Morris, Ashcroft, Higginbotham (Aird 55), Wedderburn, McManus, Cardle, Talbot, Paton. Subs not used: Gill, M’Voto, Smith, Shiels.
Referee: Euan Anderson.
