Missed chances cost Crawford’s men dear

Walsh strikes late winner in Pars’ first match in 24 days

The visit of Inverness represented Dunfermline’s first match in 24 days but some things never change for the Fifers. Stevie Crawford’s charges were once again left to rue a host of missed opportunities at East End Park as the Highlanders escaped north with a precious three points.

Aaron Doran’s spectacular free-kick which opened the scoring was adjudged to have crossed the line much to the ire of the Dunfermline players and, after the hosts levelled through Dom Thomas, Tom Walsh’s late winner owed much to a wicked ricochet.

Moreover, Kevin Nisbet, Jonathan Afolabi and Thomas all saw good opportunities come and go. Groundhog Day in a campaign of profligacy for the Pars.

The win sees Inverness move three points ahead of Dundee in the race for the runners-up spot in the Championship, while Dunfermline remain four points adrift of the top four.

Crawford, pictured, rued: “I thought we started the game well considering we have gone more than three weeks without a game. We created chances, as we have done all season.

“The boys carried out instructions well after we tweaked things for the second half, scoring a good goal. But we were hit by the sucker punch and it hits Danny [Devine] and wrong-foots the big man (Owain Fon Williams).

“I felt we created enough chances to take something.

“The players applied themselves properly and they need to keep belief. We have five games in 19 days and if we play in that manner we will pick up more points than not.”

Kevin Nisbet headed wide from pointblank range after meeting a super Ryan Dow delivery, while Thomas lashed a low drive narrowly off target from 18 yards. The dangerous Jonathan Afolabi also fizzed a daisy-cutting drive wide of the post as the Pars peppered the Caley goalmouth.

But Inverness landed a devastating sucker-punch when live-wire MacGregor was fouled on the edge of the area, allowing Doran to step up and smash a sensational free-kick off the underside of the bar and – according to assistant referee Kevin McElhinney – over the line.

Dunfermline finally found a way past Ridgers as Thomas’ persistence paid off after the break. The on-loan Kilmarnock ace cut on from the right flank and produced an unstoppable drive into the postage stamp.

But Walsh, on as a second-half substitute, would not be denied and bagged a dramatic winner when he cut in from the right wing and produced a shot which took a wild deflection off Danny Devine before nestling in the net.

● Dunfermline’s game against Partick Thistle – postponed last Saturday because of a waterlogged pitch – will now be played at Firhill on Tuesday March 10, kick-off 7.45pm.