A new-look team but an all-too-familiar feeling of disappointment for Dundee United fans.
Dunfermline deservedly took all three points with a 3-2 victory at Tannadice with the scoreline ultimately flattering the home side who fielded eight new summer signings in their starting line-up.
The win was even sweeter for Dunfermline who had last beaten United away back in August, 2011.
The first half was certainly not a thing of footballing beauty with both keepers virtual spectators as both sides struggled to settle into the game with chances few and far between.
Indeed, there was only one shot on target before the blue touch paper was lit in the 29th minute when United’s Christoph Rabitsch chopped down the Pars on-loan Dundee striker Faissal El Bakhtaoui.
It was the second time the front man had been on the receiving end of a such a challenge with William Edjenguele receiving a yellow card earlier.
This time, El Bakhtaoui reacted angrily and squared up to Rabitsch with both players booked by referee Willie Collum. Dunfermline boss Allan Johnston and his assistant Sandy Clark also voiced their displeasure with the challenges and were involved in a heated discussion with the home bench.
It seemed certain the half would end goalless before Nicky Clark scored from close range in the 44th minute.
The Pars had a chance shortly after the restart when Myles Hippolyte almost caught out United keeper Matej Rakovan with an audacious attempt from just inside the home half with the keeper happy to tip the ball over his bar.
However, Rakovan was picking the ball out of the back of his net in the 59th minute. El Bakhtaoui teed up Joe Thomson on the edge of the United box and he took his time before drilling a low shot past the keeper.
Johnston’s side then stormed into the lead eight minutes later when Jackson Longridge sent a diving header past Rakovan.
United tried to respond and had successive chances in the 81st minute but Clark’s shot was saved and Frederic Frans sent a header just wide.
Dunfermline seemed to have finally put the game to bed in the 84th minute with a fine finish from 18 yards by Louis Longridge.
United then made it 3-2 in the 89th minute sub Fraser Aird rocketed a long-range free-kick past Lee Robinson in the Pars goal.
However, Dunfermline saw out the game to take all three points.
