East Fife2–0Dundee Utd

United slumped to their only significant pre-season defeat as a 'select' side of the United first team, reserves and some youths travelled to Bayview for a friendly match. The homesters had the best of the opening exchanges, creating the first real chance of the game in the 15th minute when Gavin Lewis sent Mark Donaghy clear, the latter finding his shot parried by Lance Key as the ball went past for a corner. In the 25th minute, a cross from Andy McLaren on the right was met by the lively Robbie Winters, but the United striker's header proved too strong. East Fife scored their first goal in the 32nd minute. Hitting the Terrors on the counter, a Fifers' clearance made by Alan Dixon was picked up by Dickie Gibb. Gibb's shot from the wing evaded Key and bounced home off the United keeper's left hand post. The Tangerines finished the half strongly with an overhead kick from Sandy Robertson out near the corner flag, which was met by Jim Paterson at the edge of the box, his shot skidding off the bar.

Exchanges were even at the start of the second half but by the 69th minute Dave Beaton had put the Bayview men two up with a well taken penalty, after Robert Scott had been brought down by Dale Gray. United tried desperately to break their duck and had a chance in the 86th minute to do so, but following a nice build-up between Craig Easton and Steven Thompson , the chance fizzled out when the latter's tame effort was saved by Dean Robertson.