SPFL Update

THERE is no doubt have won League One on merit in a season awash with goals.

Faissal El Bakhtaoui showed perfect timing with his first career hat trick in the 3-1 win over

as Allan Johnston’s side celebrated winning the title before March is through.

If unlikely 1-0 win at courtesy of a Greig Spence strike, was also crucial to the equation, then it became obvious a few weeks ago that Dunfermline were champions in waiting. It was fitting that they should secure the title at home, having averaged almost four goals a game at East End Park.

El Bakhtaoui has played his part over the course of the season and the French-Moroccan striker enjoyed his day on Saturday.

“It’s been a great day for me and the lads and that third goal was the best I’ve ever scored in my life,” he claimed. “When Brechin scored to make it 2-1 we were a bit nervous but at half-time we knew Peterhead were losing so the manager told us to go out and win the game and we could be champions. The fans inspired us throughout the second half and we just kept going.

“This is a massive club and we deserve to playing at a higher level. All the hard work’s been worth it.”

Whether Dunfermline can hold on to their striker, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is another matter. It may be stretching it to say the crowd of 4402 was down to the number of scouts watching El Bakhtaoui but he has been attracting attention.

In the Championship, all but consigned to the drop with a 1-0 win at Indodrill Stadium, Keith Watson netting late on.

“It was a good ball in [from substitute Lewis Morgan] and I just about managed to find the net at the second attempt,” he said. “Nobody really knows what’s going to be happening about new contracts for next season, so we’re all looking to impress as much as possible in the last few games between now and the end of the season. I really think the Championship is a very good standard. Anybody can beat anybody else on their day.”

Alloa had their chances but Jamie Langfield produced a string of top-class saves, most notably from Michael Duffy midway through the second half.

“I really thought it was going in as soon as I made contact, but maybe it was one of those where I caught it too well,” said Duffy.

gave themselves a lifeline with a 2-1 win at Jordan White and Sam Stanton scoring before injury-time drama during which Will Vaulks pulled a goal back, Jackson Longridge was sent off and Marc McCallum saved a John Baird penalty.

In League Two, are two points clear after a 1-1 draw with as Clyde slipped up at home to Arbroath.