Dundee United eased their relegation worries with this hard-earned victory against Dunfermline.
In doing so, they recorded only their second home win of this campaign. The Tangerines outfought the Fifers who, this season, are acknowledged as being as woeful away from home in the SPL as they are strong at home.
In the opening 20 minutes, there was little the crowd found to shout about among the midfield mire although the home fans jeered referee Tom Brown when he waved away a strong penalty claim following Gary Mason’s tenth minute tackle on Jamie Paterson.
However, four minutes later the fans were on their feet following a superb move which found the net only for Derek Lilley to be flagged for offside.
With the Pars apparently going into a period of hibernation, efforts from Ged Brannan and Steve Crawford eventually woke up their supporters.
Firstly the big defender forced a full-length dive from Paul Gallacher with a 20-yard drive and then the Scottish striker skimmed the post with a low drive from the edge of the box.
The bulk of the pressure however continued towards the Dunfermline goal. Six minutes before the interval the Terrors found the breakthrough.
Having survived two earlier scares from Paterson crosses the Pars did not see the warning signals as the winger cut inside Gus MacPherson and curled in a cross for Craig Easton to bag his first goal of the season heading down into the net from eight yards.
The Tangerines relieved the pressure doubling their lead two minutes after the re-start. A powerful run from Lilley to the by-line was finished with a low cross which was missed by all apart from Andy Tod who popped up at the far post to prod the ball in against his old team.
The Pars tried to raise their game, introducing new faces and changing formation but United continued to snap away at their heels. The pressure increased on the home goal but some resolute defending prevented a goal.
United then freshened up their team and it paid dividends two minutes from time when youngster Daniel Ogunmade neatly finished off good work from Smart to stab home the third.