Pars part company with Johnston following poor run

Dunfermline parted company with manager Allan Johnston yesterday.

The former Queen of the South and Kilmarnock boss was appointed to the East End Park job in 2015 and successfully guided the Pars back to the Championship at the end of his first season in charge.

After stabilising the club in the second tier with a mid-table finish, he went on to guide the Fife outfit to the promotion play-offs last term.

But Dundee United ended their hopes of a top-flight return and this season’s promotion push has now stumbled following a run of just three wins from their last 12 games.

Johnston will now depart the club alongside number two Sandy Clark, while former Pars favourite Stevie Crawford has been put in caretaker command ahead of Saturday’s trip to Dundee United.

Dunfermline chairman Ross McArthur said in a statement: “I wish to place on record our sincere thanks to Allan and Sandy for their considerable efforts.

“We wish them well in the future.”

Paul Hartley, who is out of work after leaving Falkirk earlier this season, and Alloa boss Jim Goodwin are among the names in the frame for the job at East End Park.

East Fife manager Darren Young and Montrose boss Stewart Petrie, who both played for the Pars, are also likely to be under consideration.

“We wish them well in the future”

Allan Johnston: Guided Pars to the Championship