Published: Thursday, 7th May, 2009 10:55am

Pars shake off Hampden hangover

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THE Pars vanquished their Hampden hangover with a convincing away victory over the Doonhamers at Palmerston.

It may have come a week too late, but first-half goals by Andy Kirk, Calum Woods and Nick Phinn sent Athletic on their way to cementing a respectable third place slot, on the day St Johnstone deservedly secured promotion to the SPL.

And it was Phinn, a last minute replacement for Steven Bell, who tore a calf muscle in the pre-match warm up, who ran the show.

His 34th minute goal secured the three points in yet another man of the match performance for the Pars" talisman.

Earlier, the midfielder set up the opener for Kirk with a neat chip that the forward bravely headed home past the outrushing Lee Robinson for his 16th goal of the season.

Queen of the South almost replied immediately with a Stephen Dobbie drive screaming just inches past the Pars" right post. But just five minutes later, Woods got on the end of an Alex Burke cross to fire home another headed goal and raise the spirits of the small travelling support.

The Pars could have quickly made it three but a fine shot from Scott Muirhead was saved dramatically by keeper Robinson. However, Phinn finished the game off just after the half-hour mark when he netted spectacularly from 20 yards leaving the Dumfries men well and truly defeated.

The second half may have brought no goals, but the Pars didn"t let up. It could have been four when Graham Bayne linked with Muirhead on the left, but his cross surprised Phinn, who failed to convert from just six yards. Queen of the South let their frustration show in the 68th minute when captain Jim Thomson appeared to stamp on Bayne"s calf. Referee Chris Boyle instantly showed him the red card, capping off a miserable home display.

Dunfermline tried to capitalise on having the extra man when Bayne collected from Kirk, but again Robinson came to the rescue, turning his goal-bound effort out to the right. Loy should have made it four in the dying minutes, but he somehow managed to sky a David Graham cut back from 12 yards.

Queen of the South: Robinson, Reid, Harris, Thomson, Lancaster, Scally, Wilson, Tosh (MacFarlane 58), McQuilken (Weatherston 61), Dobbie (O"Connor 71), Kean. Subs: Barr, Halliwell.

Booked: Lancaster (68), Wilson (89)

Sent off: Thomson (68)

Dunfermline: Gallacher, Ross, Woods, Wilson, McCann, D Graham, Bell, Burke, Muirhead, Bayne (Mole, 82), Kirk (Loy 76) . Subs: Paterson, L Graham, Willis.

Goals: Kirk (21), Woods (26), Phinn (34).

Referee: Chris Boyle.

Attendance: 2750.