The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
St Mirren win at East End to end home title hopes
Jack Baird’s second-half winner at East End Park last night confirmed that the remainder of Dunfermline’s season will be a quest for a play-off spot rather than a surge towards automatic promotion.
Leaders St Mirren are now 18 points clear of the Pars after avenging their 3-0 defeat at the same venue in September, and the result book-ended a dismal seven days for the Pars following last Saturday’s Scottish Cup exit to Morton.
Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston said: “At 1-1 I thought we were going to go on and win the game, but you can’t afford to lose poor goals like that, allowing three people to go unmarked in the penalty box.
“Our second-half performance was more like us. We were much more direct and we managed to cause them problems.
“I’m still hoping to add to the squad because we’re still a little bit short in certain areas. I’m hoping to get that done before the transfer window closes on Wednesday.”
Roared on by a crowd of 5,479, the home side started brightly and had already seen a penalty claim waved away by referee John Beaton by the time Cammy Smith fired the Buddies in front against the run of play.
There was no disputing the quality of the goal, however, as skipper Stephen Mcginn’s slide-rule pass and Lewis Morgan’s backheel unlocked the Pars defence, allowing Smith to find the far corner with a low, left-footed finish.
The same player was then denied by home keeper Lee Robinson, but Dunfermline were building up a head of steam and full-back Ryan Williamson sent a teasing cross towards the back post where Kyle Higginbotham narrowly failed to make contact.
The Fifers were forced into a change in the 40th minute after Dean Shiels suffered a head knock and was replaced by new signing James Craigen.
Craig Samson saved Nicky Clark’s overhead kick shortly before half-time, but the visiting keeper found himself stranded in no man’s land when Clark’s brave header made it 1-1 just three minutes into the second period.
The hosts’ tails were up, but Saints refused to be rattled and a casual 25-yard free-kick from Kyle Magennis almost restored their advantage.
Another set-piece caused alarm in the home penalty area in the 64th minute, and this time Baird applied the decisive touch from close range to the delight of the visiting fans directly behind the goal.
Johnston went for broke, committing his final substitute with 20 minutes left, but there was to be no second equaliser as St Mirren secured their seventh win in eight league games and stretched 11 points clear of second-placed Dundee United. 5,479.
Robinson, Williamson, Mvoto, Morris, Talbot, Higginbotham (Ryan 71), Shiels (Craigen 42), Wedderburn, Paton (Aird 63), Mcmanus, Clark. Subs not used: Smith, Gill, Martin, Ashcroft.
Samson, L Smith, Baird, Davis, Eckersley, Mcshane (Flynn 61), Mcginn, Magennis, C Smith (Mackenzie 82), Morgan, Reilly (Mullen 78). Subs not used: Hill, Demetriou, Sutton, Stewart.
Referee: John Beaton.