GOAL CRAZY CARDLE IS PARS’ CATALYST

DUNFERMLINE manager Allan Johnston has hailed the influence of Joe Cardle after the winger’s derby double took his goals tally to seven for the season.

The 30-year-old fans’ favourite cut a frustrated figure last term as he found starts hard to come by as the campaign wore on.

But he has proved key to the Pars’ success so far, with his brace in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Falkirk following on from a pair of strikes the previous week against Inverness.

The former Airdrie and Ross County attacker is just one of a handful of players who have contributed to the Championship side bagging an i ncredible 21 goals in their opening five home games.

Johnston said: “It was a great finish from Joe for his first goal on Saturday.

“He’s scoring a l ot of goals at the moment, as well as creating chances.

“We’ve got a l ot of players playing at the top of their game just now.

“The message is to keep playing with tempo. We’re a good team when we move the ball quick, with the quality of player we’ve got movement.”

The win over Falkirk was Dunfermline’s first against their rivals since 2011 and ensured the Pars kept pace with league leaders Dundee United by holding on to second spot in the Championship table.

The Fifers lost five of their first six games in the league last season and Johnston is hopeful his side can now go from strength to strength.

The East End Park boss added: “It’s a big result for us.

“It shows you how far we’ve come.” and the

Joe Cardle