STANTON THE HERO FOR TANGERINES
UNITED BATTLE BACK FROM THE BRINK
The fact Dundee United only sparked into life after their goalkeeper was carried off injured while celebrating a goal pretty much sums up their wacky and unpredictable season.
Trailing to Declan McManus’ first-half effort for Dunfermline, United rallied in this Premiership play-off quarter-final second leg and levelled when Scott McDonald struck on 57 minutes.
Yes, it was an equaliser worth celebrating, but for Tannadice keeper Deniz Mehmet, he took things too far when he lay stricken on the turf after jumping for joy.
Csaba Laszlo’s team never looked back from that moment, Sam Stanton scoring a terrific winner 20 minutes from time to save United’s season.
They now face Livingston in the semi-final, starting with the first leg at Tannadice on Monday evening. If they can reproduce their second-half effort, it might just do them a favour as they aim to move a step closer to the Premiership. A third season in the Championship would be unthinkable.
For Dunfermline, they looked comfortable early on but were made to pay for wasted opportunities.
United were rueful ahead of this one, the tie goalless after Dunfermline were forced to play the final 35 minutes of Tuesday’s first leg at east end Park with ten men.
Defender Lee Ashcroft was back in the Pars starting XI after the club appealed his dismissal, with a hearing set for Thursday.
There was a burst of excitement among the 2,000 travelling fans after 14 minutes when Fraser Aird fired a low ball from the left across the six-yard box but there was no man in black and white to apply a touch.
A minute later, however, the visitors got their reward, with Aird the supplier again from the left. The former Rangers winger shrugged off United right-back Anthony Ralston and played a pass to McManus, who converted at the near post.
United almost secured an immediate equaliser when McDonald’s attempt from Ralston’s cross struck the side netting.
Aird had already proved to be a menace on the left, but Pars midfielder Kallum higginbotham was looking equally up for this one on the opposite wing.
his cross midway through the half caused panic in the home defence, with Bilel Mohsni producing an excellent hooked clearance a few yards from goal.
Laszlo’s men were slack too often, though.
Pars full-back Ryan Williamson picked up a loose ball on the right and delivered a teasing cross, but top scorer Nicky Clark’s effort sailed just over the bar.
Dunfermline wasted a glorious chance to double their lead ten minutes before half-time.
McManus was played through on goal, but the striker paused as he — and indeed the whole stadium — expected the offside flag to be raised. All he had to do was beat Mehmet or pass to Clark, but the United keeper stuck out a leg to concede a corner.
Right on half-time, Aird crossed from the left, but Clark’s effort crashed off the bar.
United were relieved to give their fans something to cheer about when they drew level.
From a corner, substitute Thomas Mikkelsen headed the ball goalwards and McDonald was able to prod home from close range.
In bizarre scenes, the restart was delayed to allow treatment to goalkeeper Mehmet — who celebrated a little too extravagantly, and was soon being carried off. Laszlo was a man transformed, roaring and waving his arms around wildly on the touchline. Some energy had arrived for the men in Tangerine.
The Pars went close twice when Jamie Robson denied McManus before United substitute keeper harry Lewis also saved from the Dunfermline striker.
United then took the lead on 70 minutes when Sam Stanton danced through the Pars defence and slotted under keeper Lee Robinson.
It was all about composure for United in the stages.
There was a scare five minutes from time when McManus’ effort was blocked by a Tangerine wall, much to the delight of the home fans. They had been made to sweat, but Laszlo’s team showed grit and determination when it mattered to progress, while Dunfermline were left heartbroken.