Dunfermline's dreams of Bank of Scotland safety moved closer to reality after a dramatic 1-0 win over relegation rivals St Mirren at Love Street.

The spirited Pars, who had been nine points behind the home side only a few weeks ago, reduced the deficit to one with three games remaining thanks to the man-of-many-clubs Tam McManus.

The former Hibernian, Dundee, Boston and Falkirk player had a goal chalked off for offside minutes before he side-footed the ball past Buddies keeper Chris Smith to take three points back to Fife.

It was McManus's second goal in 10 games for the club and he may never score a more important goal if he stays in Fife for the rest of his career.

Dunfermline, still bottom of the table, have a Tennent's Scottish Cup final with Celtic to look forward to at the end of the season but when they troop out at Hampden on May 26, they may still be an SPL side.

The unusual sight of a near-full house of 10,251 at Love Street greeted the players as they emerged for what was a crucial match for both sides.

The match started at a whirlwind pace and never really let up until the half-time whistle blew.

The first real incident occurred in the third minute when St Mirren midfielder Hugh Murray felled McManus 25 yards from goal but Jim O'Brien blasted the free-kick high over the bar.

At the other end, the unmarked Stewart Kean headed a Richard Brittain free-kick from wide on the right over the bar from close range when he should have at least tested Pars keeper Dorus De Vries.

In the 16th minute John Sutton headed Brittain's corner tamely straight at De Vries from just eight yards out, confirming early notions that goals could be at a premium.

Although there was no questioning the sheer effort on display, it was pinball football the fans were witnessing as possession changed with startling regularity.

In the 31st minute, Pars defender Sol Bamba took the initiative as he surged at the St Mirren defence, played a one-two with Jim McIntyre only to send his drive from 16 yards wide of Chris Smith's right-hand post.

Five minutes before the break Dunfermline wide-man Adam Hamill sent a low drive from 20 yards just past the post, a lacklustre effort which summed up the first period, although the Liverpudlian made up for it with a storming run just before the break leaving Brittain, David van Zanten and John Potter in his wake before his cut-back was cleared to safety by Kirk Broadfoot.

The half-time whistle signalled some respite for the ball if nothing else and the players trooped off to be re-energised before commencing battle.

There were only three minutes gone in the second half when McManus's near-post head-flick from an O'Brien corner almost caught Smith out, the Buddies keeper saving well then being called upon seconds later to deal with a long distance drive from Gary Mason.

Seconds later, a Scott Wilson shot deflected off McManus and past Smith but the Pars player was adjudged to be offside.

Dunfermline were getting closer and another great driving run from Hamill in the 55th minute took him in to the heart of the Saints penalty area before his shot was blocked by the diving Smith.

Only three minutes later the visitors eventually got their noses in front following a slick counter-attack.

Left-back Scott Muirhead stormed down the flank with impressive pace, played a one-two with Hamill then drove a shot at goal from the edge of the Saints penalty area.

The ball cannoned off Broadfoot but fell kindly to the lurking McManus who coolly slotted past Smith. It was no more than the Fifers deserved.

The home side dug deep as they tried to draw level but the Fifers defended resolutely while hinting at scoring a second goal.

In the 80th minute McManus could have sealed the win but headed wide after a searching O'Brien cross to the back post.

Saints pounded the Dunfermline penalty box in the dying stages but could not get the equaliser and must feel the pendulum has swung towards the Fifers.

Teams:

St Mirren Smith, van Zanten, Potter, Broadfoot, Maxwell,Brittain (Corcoran 64), Murray, Brady (McKenna 85),Reid (Mehmet 77), Kean, Sutton.

Subs Not Used: Hinchcliffe, Malone, Mackay, Lawson.

Booked: van Zanten.

Dunfermline De Vries, Shields, Wilson, Bamba, Glass,O'Brien (Young 90), Hammill (McCunnie 78), Mason, Muirhead,McIntyre (Hamilton 89), McManus.

Subs Not Used: McKenzie, Burchill, Owen Morrison, Woods.

Booked: Glass, Bamba.

Goals: McManus 58.

Att: 10,251

Ref: M McCurry (Scotland).