Clark nets hat-trick at Brechin as Pars close in on play-off places

Dunfermline close in on play-off places

BRECHIN CITY 0 DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC 3

Dunfermline moved to within a point of fourth-placed Morton and two points of Dundee United in third place after a deserved 2-0 Championship victory over bottom club Brechin at Glebe Park.

A stunning hat-trick from Nicky Clark was the highlight of an emphatic win for the Pars who now face United at Tannadice on Saturday.

Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston said: “It was a thoroughly professional performance from the players tonight.”

“It was a great hat-trick from Nicky and hopefully he’ll grab a few more before the end of the season.

“Every game is going to be massive now and we just have to win as many as we can between now and the end of the season to make sure we get into the top four.

“We’re in a good run of form and we’ll go to Tannadice on Saturday in a positive frame of mind looking to come away with a victory.”

City started strongly but it was the visitors who grabbed the opening goal in their first attack when Declan McManus delivered a pass to Clark who pushed forward before drilling home a low drive.

Clark made it 2-0 just a minute later when he won possession at the edge of the box before firing a right-foot shot into the net.

The Pars continued to press but City came close to reducing the deficit in the 21st minute when a Kalvin Orsi closerange shot was blocked by Kallum Higginbotham and City were unlucky again six minutes later when a superb volley from Willie Dyer was tipped away by Lee Robinson.

City were battling back and a longrange effort from Callum Tapping in the 34th minute was held by Robinson.

Dunfermline pushed forward in search of another goal with McManus coming close five minutes before the break, volleying an effort just wide of the target with five minutes remaining and then hitting the bar with a close-range shot in the final minute of the half.

Dunfermline stated the second-half strongly and they wrapped up the points in style in the 53rd minute when Thomas Beadling played a delightful through pass to Clark who completed his hattrick by hammering home a left-foot drive past Smith .

It was very nearly four for Clark three minutes later when he shot inches wide of Smith’s left-hand post.

The Pars were now in total control of the game and they passed up another great opportunity in the 72nd minute when substitute Daniel Armstrong, who had replaced McManus just a couple of minutes earlier, raced clear but steered his shot just wide of the target.

Brechin boss Darren Dods said: “We started the match really well but we found ourselves two goals down within the first 10 minutes and it was always going to be an uphill struggle after that against a very good side.”

“Two midweeks in a row is hard for part-time sides like ourselves but, to be fair, the players battled hard throughout the match and showed a lot of spirit.” Attendance: 611

Brechin City: G Smith, Dyer, Fusco (McLean 77), Dale, Tapping, Graham, Watt (Sinclair 72), Spark (Crighton 23), Orsi, Mackin, E Smith. Subs not used: Lynas, Morrison, Costello, O’Neil.

Dunfermline: Robinson, Williamson, Martin, Morris, Ashcroft, Higginbotham, McManus (Armstrong 63), Clark (Ryan 63), Vincent (Aird 72), Craigen, Beadling. Subs not used: Mvoto, Wedderburn, Talbot, Gill.

Referee: Barry Cook

Picture: SNS Group. Nicky Clark: two early goals on his way to a hat-trick at Glebe Park.

Kalvin Orsi: denied by a Kallum Higginbotham block.