Stenhousemuir 0-3 PARS

A DOUBLE from skipper Andy Geggan helped Dunfermline return to winning ways with a comfortable win at Stenhousemuir this afternoon.

Faissal El Bakhtaoui's 20th goal of the season just before half-time put Allan Johnston's side ahead and Geggan's second half goals sealed a first win in four games.

The result - coupled with Ayr's loss to Peterhead - saw Dunfermline increase their lead at the top to eight points, with the Blue Toon leaping above Ian McCall's side into second place.

This was a good response to last week's loss to Airdrie - Athletic's first in 15 league games - as they also ended a run of three games without a goal.

Pars Johnston handed new signing Craig Reid a debut at right back in one of two changes from that defeat; Joe Cardle also returned after recovering from flu as Shaun Rooney and David Hopkirk dropped to the bench.

The Warriors meanwhile handed a debut to 19-year-old Celtic keeper Colin McCabe, signed on an emergency 28-day loan ahead of kick off to avert an injury crisis between the sticks.

After a well observed minute's silence for former Warriors manager Harry Glasgow, who passed away earlier this week, Stenny kicked off but it was Dunfermline who were first to threaten inside two minutes.

Cardle fired an early stinger towards McCabe that he pushed wide well, before Brad McKay nodded wide from the resulting corner.

In the sixth minute, Reid's cross picked out Michael Moffat but he was unable to generate any power in his header, and a minute later Andy Geggan drilled a shot from distance wide.

The visitors were enjoying plenty of the ball in the opening exchanges but, just like they were in their 1-0 loss at East End in December, the Warriors were well organised and making it difficult for the Pars to play through them.

Top scorer El Bakhtaoui did however have a chance to open the scoring in 22 minutes.

Michael Paton played a lovely ball into the French-Moroccan's path inside the box but, with a tight angle, he poked the ball wide but was perhaps caught in two minds with Moffat supporting in the centre of the box.

Dunfermline went even closer in 29 minutes with McCabe earning hero status with the home fans.

A deep free-kick from Paton was retrieved at the left corner by El Bakhtaoui, who laid it to Cardle and after skipping away from a Warriors defender, his curling shot from outside the box was brilliantly pushed onto the bar.

At the other end, Stephen Stirling had an effort saved by Sean Murdoch as the Warriors served warning that they were well in this match.

Neat play on the left saw Athletic create another opportunity as Cardle's cross found El Bakhtaoui but his first time volley lacked power and direction.

Moments later there were half-hearted appeals for a penalty as Cardle's deflected shot was blocked by Euan Murray, but Stenny continued to frustrate the leaders as the interval approached.

But Stenny's resistance was broken four minutes from the break and El Bakhtaoui maintained his happy habbit of scoring at Ochilview.

The 23-year-old led a break from inside the Pars half, and, with Cardle and Moffat in support, he took advantage of no Warriors challenge to advance to the edge of the box and place a low shot beautifully into the bottom corner of McCabe's net.

Jon Robertson almost replied four minutes into the second half with a powerful effort from the edge of the box that hit Murdoch's right-hand post, while at the other end McCabe produced a stunning save to deny Geggan from a thumping free-kick.

But there was nothing the keeper could do about Dunfermline's second in 52 minutes.

Cardle was the creator, sending over a delivery that was begging to be attacked and Geggan duly obliged to head home with authority.

After the second goal, Dnfermline looked even more comfortable and almost added a third 20 minutes from time when the superb Cardle was denied again by the equally impressive McCabe.

His parry then fell to Geggan but the midfielder's first-time hit was blocked on its way to goal.

The Pars captain however did not have to wait long to add to his tally as he wrapped up the game with 12 minutes to go.

Jason Talbot did well to rob Stenhousemuir of possession midway inside their half and find El Bakhtaoui, who in turn took advantage of a tiring Warriors backline to release Geggan who coolly slotted home from inside the area.

Stenhousemuir: McCabe, McCormack, Summers, Meechan, Murray, J.Robertson, Gilhaney, Millar, McMenamin, Stirling, Cook.

Subs: Scotland, Malcolm, Marenghi, McCroary, Martinez, Small, S.Robertson.

Pars: Murdoch, Reid, Talbot, McKay, Richards-Everton, Geggan, Paton, Falkingham, Moffat, El Bakhtaoui, Cardle.

Subs: Hopkirk, Byrne, Rooney, Wallace, McCabe, Crossan, Hutton.

Goals: El Bakhtaoui (41), Geggan (52, 78).

Referee: David Lowe.

Attendance: 1328.