Gary Mason's 89th-minute winner against Dundee United provided another
dramatic twist in the race to avoid relegation from the Bank of Scotland Premier
League.
The Pars midfielder knew little about his goal, which saw the ball bounce in
off him just three yards out.
But it sparked remarkable scenes of celebration among the Dunfermline players
and their coaching staff.
Manager Jim Leishman took to the Tannadice pitch with his players and did an
exuberant aircraft-style run to the dressing-rooms, sparking scenes of fury
among the remaining home support.
United were boosted by the recovery of influential midfielder Grant Brebner
from a calf problem.
The former Manchester United and Hibernian playmaker's good form has been the
catalyst behind the Tangerines' six-game unbeaten run and their ascent from the
foot of the table.
Both teams looked nervous from the outset and the opening minutes flew by in a
whirlwind of missed passes and tense midfield exchanges. The first real chance
came after seven minutes when Barry Robson was wrongly judged to have fouled
Andreus Skerla on the edge of the box.
That gave Iain Campbell the chance to test Tony Bullock, but his shot lacked
power and the goalkeeper easily plucked it from the top corner.
United were temporarily reduced to 10 men when Mark Kerr and captain Paul
Ritchie clashed heads as they attacked the same ball.
Ritchie was able to continue after a brief once-over from the medical staff
but Kerr's condition was more serious and spent five minutes on the sidelines
having his wound stitched.
Lee Makel then picked up a loose ball and had a go from 20 yards, but
unfortunately for the Pars it flashed wide.
Garry Kenneth's rise to fame has been impressive but the youngster was taken
down a peg or two by referee Stuart Dougal mid-way through the first half. The
17-year-old defender chopped down Darren Young on the right flank but protested
furiously with the official and was given a severe ticking off for his
petulance.
The official made a major call in the 51st minute, chalking off what
Dunfermline protested was a legitimate opening goal. Ritchie appeared to stumble
and play the ball into the path of Derek Young, who eagerly lashed a shot under
Bullock's body from 12 yards out.
As the players rushed to the corner to celebrate with their 3000-strong band
of fans, Dougal signalled that former Tannadice player Andy Tod had impeded
Ritchie by pulling his shirt and awarded a free-kick in United's favour.
Leishman was apoplectic on the sidelines, as were most of his players, but
their remonstrations were instantly dismissed.
The Tangerines should have taken the lead two minutes later, but McIntyre
could only direct a snapshot off the post from five yards out.
Wilson's initial shot bobbled around the six-yard box and the Pars looked none
too clever in trying to clear it but were let off the hook by the United man's
poor effort.
Derek Stillie, the Dunfermline goalkeeper, produced a wonderful save to deny
Robson after 63 minutes. The winger rose to head a pinpoint Wilson cross and
must have thought he had opened the scoring but Stillie scooped the ball off the
line.
That did not completely avert the danger as McIntyre lurked in wait for the
follow-up but he could not clear the first defender with a little chip.
Robson tested Stillie with a 25-yard free-kick which was dipping under the bar
but the Fifers keeper was able to backtrack before palming the ball into the
air, ready to catch.
The Pars were on the back foot defending for their lives and Wilson was the
embodiment of their effort in the 76th minute, launching his whole body in front
of Crawford's venomous shot from the edge of the box.
Just as the game seemed destined to peter out to a goalless stalemate, the
Pars won the day - and perhaps safety - with Mason's goal. He was in the right
place at the right time when substitute Simon Donnelly's cross hit Kenneth.
He knew little about it as the ball bounced off his thigh and over the
desparing Bullock.
Teams
Dundee Utd Bullock, Wilson, Kenneth, Ritchie (McCracken 86),
Archibald, Duff (McInnes 75), Brebner, Kerr, Robson, Crawford,
McIntyre.
Subs Not Used: Colgan, Samuel, Grady, Scotland, Robertson.
Booked: Archibald.
Dunfermline Stillie, Skerla, Scott Wilson, Scott Thomson,
Campbell, Mason, Darren Young, Makel,
Craig Wilson (Labonte 90), Derek Young (Donnelly 67), Tod.
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Hunt, Mehmet, Dunn, Ross.
Booked: Mason, Campbell, Stillie.
Goals: Mason 89.
Att: 10,763
Ref: S Dougal (Scotland).
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