BROWN LEFT TO FROWN
DUN’LINE...0 DUNDEE U...0 ALAN MARSHALL AT EAST END PARK STENNY...1 QUEEN’S PK...1
done better than a tame header into the arms of Mehmet.
Mehmet was made to work harder in 53 minutes and he did brilliantly to claw Aird’s shot away from his top left corner.
But just as the home side seemed to be getting on top they were reduced to 10 men.
Ashcroft bundled over McDonald 35 yards out and after a slight contemplation Madden flashed red, although it appeared Pars had cover to prevent a goalscoring opportunity.
Fraser then sped to the byeline before cutting back for Thomas Mikkelsen – but McDonald’s low shot was palmed round the post by Lee Robinson.
Mehmet copied his fellow goalkeeper at the other end when he superbly tipped Clark’s header over in 64 minutes.
United took a stranglehold as full-time approached and Mohsni saw a header deflected over with 19 minutes left.
Tangerines boss Laszlo felt the red card was right but claims Pars are now favourites despite United’s home advantage.
He said: “I’m fair, so a draw is the correct result.
“Are we favourites? No because we’ll have to score maybe two goals at Tannadice and it’s a dangerous game.
“Maybe it’s 50-50 but I still feel Dunfermline are favourites.” STENNY boss Brown Ferguson admitted he was frustrated his side couldn’t get the upper hand against 10-man Queen’s Park.
Martin Scott put the Warriors in front before Robbie Leitch levelled for the visitors.
Adam Cummins was sent off for Queen’s with 12 minutes left but the home side couldn’t make the extra man count with the tie now finely balanced.
Stenny gaffer Ferguson insisted they had the better of the game and was disappointed they won’t go into Saturday’s second leg with the advantage.
He said: “There is a sense of disappointment that we are not ahead.
“We commanded the first half without creating too many chances and dominated late on.”
The home side took the lead in 27 minutes when a long throw from Ross Meechan was headed clear only as far as Eddie Ferns and his lofted ball to the back post was nodded in by a diving Scott.
Queen’s Park came out flying at the start of the second half and equalised within a minute with a well-crafted goal.
Luke Donnelly released Gregor Fotheringham on the right and his cut-back was perfectly placed for Leitch to slam home.
Stenhousemuir hit back and in 50 minutes Colin McMenamin saw a header from six yards hit the inside of the post before bouncing to safety.
Queen’s defender Cummins was dismissed with 12 minutes left for a waist-high challenge on Ruaridh Donaldson.
But the match ended all square.
Queen’s head coach Gus MacPherson said: “The tie is in the balance and that is not unexpected as the teams are well matched.”