Dundee Utd 0-0 Dunfermline Athletic: Visitors move point clear at top despite frustrating draw

Dundee United failed to break down a stubborn visiting defence

Dundee United moved a point clear at the Scottish Championship summit despite being held to a goalless draw by resolute Dunfermline Athletic.

The hosts dominated possession but could not take full advantage of second-placed Raith Rovers' defeat at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

United, who have a game in hand over Raith, have now failed to win in three of their last four games at Tannadice.

Meanwhile, seventh-placed Dunfermline are now on a six-match winless run.

United were boosted by the debut of David Wotherspoon and the return of captain Ross Docherty, and both played an hour before being replaced.

In the closing stages it looked like substitute Archie Meekison's curling shot would find the top corner before a brilliant diving save by visiting goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet.

Sam Fisher had Dunfermline's best opportunity, thumping a low shot from the edge of the box, but Jack Walton did well to repel.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "Opposition teams tend to come here and get lots of bodies behind the ball. That's what played out today. Dunfermline sat with 11 men behind the ball at times.

"My only criticism of my lads is we probably didn't play forward quick enough in those transitions. The real disappointment for us is we weren't able to find that key moment to take all three points."

Dunfermline Athletic boss James McPake: "We were slightly more defensive but still had the threat on the counter and I'm really proud of how the players put together everything we'd worked on.

"Malachi Fagan-Walcott will certainly add to the squad and we saw that. That performance has to be the bar or level - it was more like us in terms of the way we worked."