Gold one-two sets the stage
Deadly Pars duo team up for a fifth time
Never mind Halloween – it was Groundhog Day at East End Park as set-piece specialists Dunfermline hit top spot.
A pin-point Dom Thomas corner allowed captain Euan Murray to open the scoring against Queen of the South.
Remarkably, it is the FIFTH time they have combined to f ind the net this term as centre-half Murray emerges as the unlikeliest goal hero.
Declan McManus doubled the home side’s lead from the penalty spot before Joe McKee hit back after the break.
But Thomas was at it again on the hour, claiming his sixth assist in six games when Paul Watson slammed home his near-post delivery.
Stephen Dobbie ensured a nervous finale with a spotk ick of h is ow n but Dunfermline held firm.
Pars gaf fer Stevie Crawford said: “The three goals all came from setpieces and long may that continue. It’s something we work on and Dom real ly takes pride in his deliveries.
“It’s not just the Dom Thomas and Euan Murray show. There are a lot of players doing important jobs.”
It was the Doonhamers who threatened first, with Gregor Buchanan forcing Owain Fon Williams to tip his powerful header over the bar.
Murray showed Buchanan how it is done midway through the first period when he was left unmarked to head home from Thomas’ corner.
Queens boss A llan
Johnston, back in the dugout following an enforced 14-day period of isolation, saw his charges fall further behind on the cusp of half-time.
Pars midfielder Kyle Turner scampered into the box and was fouled by Daniel Pybus, with ref Grant Irvine correctly pointing to the spot. McManus rattled the resulting penalty into the top corner.
Johnston’s words of wisdom at the break had the desired effect as the Doonhamers exploded from the blocks in the second period.
They halved arrears within six minutes of the restart when a speculative McKee drive squirmed through the hands of Fon Williams and nestled in the net.
However, that proved to be a false dawn for the Dumfries outfit as Thomas’ set-pieces caused yet more havoc.
The ex-Kilmarnock wideman produced another superb corner and, although Iain Wilson’s initial header was blocked, Watson slammed home the loose ball.
Queens fought to the death in Fife, with talisman Dobbie pulling another goal back from the penalty spot after Aidan Fitzpatrick had been fouled by Wilson.
However, the Fifers held firm to ascend to the summit.
Queens remain joint bottom of the table and Johnston said: “The goals we lost would drive you crazy – three goals stemming from corners. They haven’t had to work to score.”