Tannadice win gives Fifers a chance to get out of group

A superb win for East Fife at Tannadice last night left Dundee United sweating over a potential early Betfred Cup exit.

Robbie Neilson’s Championship side were favourites to book their place in the last 16 in their final Group A fixture against their League One visitors. But goals in either half from Aaron Dunsmore and Liam Watt gave the Fifers a well-deserved victory. The Methil men now sit just a point behind United and host Hearts at Bayview on Saturday.

United still had a spring in their step from Friday night’s 3-0 win over Cowdenbeath and it was no surprise when they went on the attack early on, almost taking the lead after 10 minutes.

Scott Banks’ curled freekick eluded the entire visiting defence and Paul Watson rose unchallenged to head just over the bar.

Darren Young’s visitors weren’t content to just sit back, though, with Ross Davidson’s 16th-minute rasping effort flashing not far wide of Benjamin Siegrist’s left-hand post.

Ex-united defender stewart Murdoch was out to prove a point and his 30thminute cross was only just intercepted by Tangerines skipper Mark Reynolds.

But the visitors surged ahead in 38 minutes when Anton Dowd’s defencesplitting pass set Dunsmore free and he calmly tucked the ball past Siegrist from 10 yards.

Three minutes before the break, United striker Lawrence Shankland saw a thunderous shot come crashing back off the underside of the bar.

And, six minutes into the second half, the part-timers made the most of that reprieve by doubling their lead.

Watt weaved his magic inside the box and stabbed his finish into Siegrist’s far corner.

United midfielder Sam Stanton saw a late header saved by visiting keeper Jordan Hart, but the night belonged to the Fifers.