A goal in each half ensured that Dunfermline would take all three points after a lacklustre Hibernian display.

A superb Stevie Crawford volley gave the Pars the lead as the Easter Road side struggled to create much in front of goal.

Steven Hampshire doubled the advantage after the break and, although Ian Murray grabbed a goal for Hibs three minutes from time, it proved to be too little too late.

The biggest surprise before this game was the ommission of Russell Latapy - who has announced that he will leave Easter Road at the end of the season.

Arguably their best player, Latapy failed even to make an appearance on the bench and it was rivals Dunfermline who enjoyed the better start to the game.

The Pars had the chance to take the lead as early as the first minute when a Barry Nicholson corner picked out Andrius Skerla in the box but he nodded just over.

New signing Tomas Danilevicius - on loan from Arsenal - had the chance to make an impact after 12 minutes but he just failed to connect with a Hampshire cross and the danger was cleared by goalkeeper Nick Colgan.

Hibs were beginning to look more threatening but it was 20 minutes into the game before they had a real chance on goal.

Mixu Paatelainen burst clear but the big Finn wasted the chance when he sent the ball yards over the crossbar.

Gary Mason could have opened the scoring for Dunfermline after 22 minutes when he tried a long-range effort from a Danilevicius pass but pulled the shot just wide.

A couple of minutes later, Mason came close again but this time the ball deflected off Mark Dempsie past the post.

But a Dempsie blunder after 28 minutes allowed Stevie Crawford to take possesion and he produced a superb volley to send the ball past Colgan and open the scoring for the Pars.

Jason Dair tried to set-up Hampshire in front of goal after 32 minutes but his cross was intercepted by a vigilant Mathias jack.

Hibs had the chance to draw level a few minutes later when John O'Neil pin-pointed Paatelainen in the box but his header was weak and easily held by goalkeeper Marco Ruitenbeek.

Crawford should have added to his tally after 37 minutes from just two yards out but he tried to take the ball round the goalkeeper and when he eventually did shoot, Stuart Lovell produced a goal-line clearance.

Danilevicius followed up with the rebound but sent the shot over the crossbar.

Hibs started the second half in much more convincing form and Tom McManus could have grabbed the leveller just two minutes after the re-start but his header was just held by the goalkeeper.

Danilevicius could have ensured a dream debut when he almost netted after 51 minutes.

Crawford's shot was blocked by Colgan but he dropped the ball in front of Danilevicius only to regain control before the Lithuanian could pull the trigger.

McManus had another great chance to pull Hibs back into the game but he produced a poor shot that fell well wide of the post.

The Pars extended their lead after 58 minutes. Danilevicius had another chance at goal which was blocked by Colgan but Hampshire followed up to fire home.

David Zitelli had replaced McManus and he made his presence felt after 65 minutes with a free-kick that produced a superb save from the goalkeeper.

Dair had the chance to kill the game off after 71 minutes with a shot that looked destined to hit the back of the net but instead smashed off the junction between the crossbar and post.

Ruitenbeek did well to deny Hibs when he blocked a Marc Libbra cross before it connected with the awaiting Paatelainen.

And a couple of minutes later, the goalkeeper came to the rescue again to clear a great shot from Libbra.

Hibs managed to pull a goal back three minutes from time when Ian Murray fired past Ruitenbeek.

But it was too little too late as Hibs' dreams of a Champions League place foundered in Fife.

Teams

Dunfermline: Ruitenbeek, Doesburg (Petrie 79), Skerla, Scott Thomson, Hampshire, Nicholson, Ferguson, Mason (Moss 64), Dair, Crawford, Danildvieius (Skinner 60).

Subs Not Used: Scott Y Thomson, McGarty.

Booked: Ferguson, Nicholson.

Goals: Crawford 29, Hampshire 57.

Hibernian: Colgan, Lovell, Mark Dempsie, Gary Smith, Murray, Jack, Brebner, O'Neil, Andrews (Libbra 56), Paatelainen, McManus (Zitelli 57).

Subs Not Used: Bannerman, Lehmann, Franks.

Booked: O'Neil.

Goals: Murray 87.

Att: 7,547

Ref: J Underhill (Scotland).