Dunfermline Athletic 2
St. Mirren 0

After an even first half the Pars ran out deserved victors over their higher league opposition, creating the better chances and never looking in much difficulty. Another encouraging performance, based on solid defending, although the crowd was disappointing.

Nick Phinn is thwarted by John Potter and Gary Mason.

Those in possession kept the jerseys after Saturday’s home win: Gallacher shrugged off an injury worry to take his place between the sticks; Calum Woods had to settle for a place on the bench after serving his one match ban and so the back four were Thomson at right back, Shields, Wilson and McCann. After his precautionary substitution Harper played on the right wing, Burke and Bell were in the middle with Phinn on the left of a fluid mid-field; Bayne and Kirk were looking to end a mini goal drought up front.

Gus MacPherson’s visitors had 4 fellow former Pars in their ranks, Mehmet, Hamilton, Mason and Potter as they began the game in their all red strips attacking the Norrie McCathie stand end. The match ball lasted all of 15 seconds before having to be replaced - it’s still on the roof of the main stand where Harper hoofed it after covering for Nipper in the first move of the game. The Pars endured a slightly shaky start - after 5 minutes Jack Ross got forward from the right back position and sent in a cross to the back post where Mehmet out-leapt Thomson but headed past. Two minutes later Wilson tried to chest down a delivery from the opposite wing but lost out to Haining who fired past the same post.

Hamilton had rediscovered his ability to win balls in the air and it looked as if he and Mehmet might prove a handful, but the Pars began to come into the game. Pressure from Kirk won a corner in 10 minutes which Burke put in deep to the far post where Harper side-footed a volley well over the top.

Harper and Thomson were combining well on the right and most of the home side’s offensive play emanated from that quarter, with both players attempting to fire in crosses without creating any concrete chances.

Phinn robbed Brady on the half-hour mark but could not find support as he broke and it was the Saints who ended the half more positively - on 35 minutes a great challenge by Wilson on Hamilton blocked the latter’s diving header and Mehmet couldn’t direct the scrap on target under pressure from Thomson. Bell got a header from distance on target in 38 minutes at Howard’s end and right on half time it was Shields’ turn to come to the rescue as he blocked Mason’s shot which was heading inside Gallacher’s right hand post, although the Pars Number 1 demonstrated the save he would have made. A fairly even first half without too much to get excited about.

Half time: Pars 0 Buddies 0

Into the second half and Wilson lost his footing defending against Mehmet but could still find McCann with a pass whilst lying on the ground; at the other end Potter was taking no chances and cleared a Harper cross over his own bar.

After a Hamilton drive from 20 yards failed to trouble Gallacher, Bayne and Kirk linked well to feed Harper whose first time effort was held by Howard at his near post. There was no calming Miranda when the Argentine received a yellow card for showing dissent by bouncing the ball extravagantly when a throw-in didn’t go his way. There was more disgruntlement in the visitors’ camp in 63 minutes when Gallacher snaffled the ball after Shields and Hamilton tangled on the edge of the box, but referee Murray wasn’t interested.

In 65 minutes Gallacher’s clearance from hand went all the way through to his opposite number Howard who promptly returned it to the other end, where Hamilton found space to curl in a left footed shot which Gallacher dived high to save, without looking particularly troubled. One minute later and Kirk skinned Ross on the Pars left before sending in a vicious shot that crashed off the bar.

If they didn’t believe before, the Pars knew they could win this game now and one minute after Wiles had come on for the subdued Bell they took a 69th minute lead. Thomson took a free kick 40 yards out on the right and Bayne won a fine header to score from 10 yards at the back post. 1-0 Pars.