Dunfermline recovered from the 8-1 defeat by Celtic to take a valuable point at the foot of the SPL.
Mark Burchill's goal cancelled out an early strike from Garry Kenneth to earn a share of the spoils, but Dunfermline had chances to take all three.
Burchill was foiled by Derek Stillie on several occasions, and he also sent a header inches wide in a positive Pars performance.
United took the lead after just seven minutes when Kenneth headed a Barry Robson free-kick past Allan McGregor.
But Dunfermline were level seven minutes later, mainly thanks to a rush of blood to the head of United 'keeper Stillie. He needlessly raced to the edge of his area in an attempt to close down Noel Hunt, but he was left in no man's land and Hunt looped the ball over his head for Burchill to apply the finish.
Stillie had another uncertain moment at the other end when Scott Muirhead looped over a cross in the swirling wind which nestled on the roof of the net.
David Robertson had a chance to put United back in front after 28 minutes when he slipped inside two defenders, but McGregor managed to smuggle the ball off his toes.
There were chances at both ends, and Hunt saw a shot blocked before Darren Young tested Stillie with a fiercely-struck 25-yard shot.
Stillie did well 10 minutes from the break to beat out a shot from Burchill with the United defence opening up invitingly.
Burchill was denied by the goalkeeper again early in the second half with a well-struck shot from the edge of the area. He then sent a header inches wide as Dunfermline pressed for the winner, but United held on for the point.
Dunfermline recovered from the 8-1 defeat by Celtic to take a valuable point at the foot of the SPL.
Mark Burchill's goal cancelled out an early strike from Garry Kenneth to earn a share of the spoils but Dunfermline had chances to take all three.
Burchill was thwarted by Derek Stillie on several occasions and he also sent a header inches wide in a positive Pars performance.
United took the lead after just seven minutes when Kenneth headed a Barry Robson free-kick past Allan McGregor.
But Dunfermline were level seven minutes later mainly thanks to a rush of blood to the head of United 'keeper Stillie.
He needlessly raced to the edge of his area in an attempt to close down Noel Hunt but he was left in no man's land and Hunt looped the ball over his head for Burchill to apply the finish.
Stillie had another uncertain moment at the other end when Muirhead looped over a cross in the swirling wind which nestled on the roof of the net.
David Robertson had a chance to put United back in front after 28 minutes when he slipped inside two defenders but McGregor managed to smuggle the ball off his toes.
There were chances at both ends and Hunt saw a shot blocked before Darren Young tested Stillie with a fiercely-struck 25-yard shot.
Stillie did well ten minutes from the break to beat out a shot from Burchill with the United defence opening up invitingly.
Burchill was denied by the goalkeeper again early in the second half with a well-struck shot from the edge of the area.
He then sent a header inches wide as Dunfermline pressed for the winner but United held on for the point.