Clark’s late equaliser gives Dunfermline great chance to secure place in play-offs
Championship celebrations were in Paisley where title winners St Mirren defeated Morton 2-1 but the drama was in the Highlands as Dunfermline scored deep into injury time to grab a 2-2 draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle and take a massive step towards securing a playoff place.
The Pars struck first when Andy Ryan cracked home a Lewis Martin cut-back on 13 minutes but Inverness, who had won their last five games to put promotion in their own hands, took that knock in their stride.
Joe Chalmers levelled when he scored with a 25-yard free kick just three minutes later and it got even better for the hosts three minutes after the restart when Nathan Austin ran from his own half and shot them into the lead.
Just when it looked like the play-off pendulum was swinging in Inverness’ favour, Nicky Clark, pictured, got on the end of a Joe Cardle freekick and headed past Mark Ridgers to set off wild celebrations.
A point in their final home game against Dumbarton will see Dunfermline over the line, with manager Allan Johnston saying: “Whenever you score a goal as late as that in an important game it is a terrific feeling. We need to build on that and make sure we do the business against Dumbarton.”
Robertson said: “It was a sickening blow. We made a nervous start but we settled down after we equalised. The boys have given everything and I am sure that they will do the same at Livingston on Tuesday.”
St Mirren got their party off to a great start when Danny Mullen diverted a Lewis Morgan cross into the net after ten minutes. The Cappielow men levelled with half an hour played when Michael Doyle headed in and Morgan ensured that Saints celebrations were sweetened with a win when he slotted in the winner 18 minutes from time.
Livingston secured second place in their first season in the Championship following promotion with a 3–0 win over a Brechin City side who have one game left to secure their first win since they took a step last summer.
All the goals came in the final quarter of the game, with Scott Pittman heading in the opener with Jackson Longridge applying a tidy finish before Ryan Hardie netted from 25 yards.
Third-placed Dundee United’s threegame winning run came to a shuddering halt as they went down 3-0 at Queen of the South.
Lyndon Dykes opened the scoring from close range and Joe Thomson added a second before the break, with substitute Connor Murray completing the scoring with a powerful strike from distance.
Falkirk built on their midweek win over St Mirren by winning 5-2 at Dumbarton, who need to find fresh energy for relegation play-offs. In the first half, Alex Jakubiak back-heeled the Bairns into the lead and Calum Gallagher levelled but Falkirk’s Louis Longridge, Tommy Robson, Craig Sibbald and Joe Mckee all found the net after the break before Liam Burt pulled a goal back.