TEAM THAT HOPED FOR PROMOTION NOSEDIVED

Tipped by some at the start of the season for Premiership promotion, Dunfermline have crashed into League One after the first round of the play-offs.

A dismal campaign was brought to a shuddering halt by a late Queen’s Park strike in their second leg at East End Park.

The Pars’ relegation wasn’t down to Saturday alone. With just seven points on the board after 13 games with Peter Grant at the helm, the side never got the season off to the best of starts.

A couple of victories after John Hughes took the reins sparked some optimism, but the side soon lost their way again.

In total, they won just seven games in the Championship – one less than bottom side Queen of the South.

The manner of the late defeat against the Spiders was devastating but the real damage was done in the weeks and months before the final minute on Saturday.

Hughes has insisted he wants to be the one to guide Dunfermline back to the Championship next season.

At full-time, though, Pars fans were quite vocal in their dissatisfaction with his work. Out of a possible 69 points since taking charge in November, his team earned 28.

Despite his willingness to stay, the board will have tough choices to make, especially with season tickets to sell.

Hughes is still in contract until May 2023. Whatever choice is made, it could come at a cost.

Looking to next season, the Pars face stiff competition to get back into the Championship.

A regenerated Falkirk with John McGlynn at the helm could prove to be serious title contenders.

Montrose will fancy their chances once more and either Airdrie or Queen’s Park will look for promotion. Queen of the South will target a bounceback to the secondtier and Kelty Hearts could make it three titles in a row.

A major rebuild of the side is required and the Pars board may have to move quickly to put themselves in the best position to return to the Championship at the first time of asking.