Dunfermline Athletic 2
Dundee 0
League (Premier League)

Match Report

It has proved a long and arduous season for Dunfermline, but the 64th minute of this vital encounter could prove to be the turning point.

Their support certainly thought so, as they celebrated their favourites' move closer to the rest of the relegation pack.

It had all turned the Pars' way just short of the hour mark. Owen Coyle did well to control the ball, but his close-in drive went over.

Then Graham turned a clever ball inside to Dair whose fierce, angled drive brought out a tremendous save from Douglas.

At last the home pressure told. Instead of shooting, Coyle elected to walk the ball into the net. His final effort rebounded to Scott Thomson on the edge of the box.. With Douglas off his line, the young midfielder fired a fierce first-timer back into the net.

Then David Graham was coolness itself in injury-time when he set the seal on a fine afternoon for Dick Campbell's side when he held off a couple of challenges to stroke the ball into the net.

But in the first half, keeper Lee Butler had been the hero with magnificent saves from two Falconer diving headers.

Not to be outdone, Robert Douglas showed his quality with an equally classy save when he miraculously got one hand to an excellent close-range Tod header.

In a hectic closing spell, Andy Smith might have killed the game off, but sent an excellent chance from 12 yards wide of the post.

At the other end, Dundee might have grabbed the equaliser, with Butler producing a top-drawer save. from a Falconer header.

For Dunfermline, it was a magical experience. Setting the tone in this revitalised side were Thomson, Tod, Butler and Coyle.

Dundee did their best work in the first half and Adamczuk (ordered off in the closing seconds for his second bookable offence), Falconer and Douglas didn't deserve to lose.

In hard-fought contest, Mr Dallas also booked Falconer, Adamczuk and Irvine of Dundee, with Dair and Millar of Dunfermline.

Match report written by The Sunday Post