Dunfermline striker Stevie Crawford put his disappointing Scotland performance behind him to grab a double against Hibernian.

Crawford was one of several players who under-performed in the midweek friendly against the Republic of Ireland but he grabbed a goal either side of half-time for the Pars.

Barry Nicholson had earlier opened the scoring for Dunfermline and they held on to take all three points despite Ged Brannan's first-half red card and a Garry O'Connor consolation goal for Hibs.

Dunfermline started the game stronger and could have been ahead after five minutes when Lee Bullen's cross was met by Crawford, who sent his diving header just over the crossbar.

The Pars continued to apply pressure and they were rewarded after 20 minutes when they took the lead.

Nicholson unleashed a 25-yard drive, which took a deflection off Paul Fenwick and flew past goalkeeper Nick Colgan and into the back of the net.

They should have doubled their lead after 32 minutes when Craig Brewster found himself unmarked 15 yards out but he wasted the chance by nodding wide.

Hibs skipper John O'Neil had been booked earlier in the game and he was lucky to avoid a second caution 10 minutes before the break when he was guilty of a clumsy challenge on goalkeeper Derek Stillie.

Dunfermline still looked like the team most likely to find the net again and they did just that after 39 minutes when Brannan's through ball was met by Crawford and he coolly slotted past Colgan.

But the game took a turn for the worse for Dunfermline right on half-time when Brannan was shown a straight red for a reckless challenge on Grant Brebner.

Hibs boss Bobby Williamson added to his firepower up front when he replaced Alen Orman with Tam McManus during the interval.

And the home side began to look more dangerous in front of goal. McManus released O'Connor down the right flank and he squared the ball into the path of Ian Murray on the edge of the six-yard box, but the midfielder sent the shot well over.

Hibs were threatening again two minutes later when McManus found himself in possession just a few yards out but he screwed his effort wide under pressure from the Pars defence.

Instead, it was Dunfermline who added to their lead when Bullen burst down the right wing before supplying the cross for Crawford to bullet his second goal past Colgan after 56 minutes.

But Hibs continued to push forward in the hope of pulling a goal back and they came close when O'Connor's cross found McManus at the far post but he failed to connect with the header and the ball fell harmlessly wide.

But their hard work paid off after 67 minutes when a James cross was met by O'Connor. The young striker thundered a shot at goal, which took a slight deflection, before hitting the back of the net.

Hibs were clearly boosted and they almost grabbed another goal just seconds later when James forced Stillie into a superb save to tip his header over.

They had another chance to reduce Dunfermline's lead when McManus tried his luck with a free-kick from 25 yards but he curled the ball just wide.

A McManus corner gave Hibs yet another chance but this time the home side were denied by the woodwork when James' header smacked off the crossbar from six yards.

Teams

Hibernian Colgan, Orman (McManus 45), Fenwick, Zambernardi, Townsley, Brebner, O'Neil (Arpinon 75), Murray, James, O'Connor (Riordan 79), Paatelainen.

Subs Not Used: Andersson, Doumbe.

Booked: O'Neil.

Goals: O'Connor 67.

Dunfermline Stillie, MacPherson, Skerla, Scott Wilson, Grondin, Bullen (Dair 72), Mason, Nicholson, Brannan, Brewster, Crawford (Hunt 87).

Subs Not Used: Ruitenbeek, Hampshire, Dempsey.

Sent Off: Brannan (46).

Booked: Grondin.

Goals: Mason 20, Crawford 39, 55.

Att: 9,175

Ref: M McCurry (Scotland).