DUNFERMLINE'S promotion hopes were dented as ex Par Stephen Husband condemned them to defeat at Forfar Athletic on Saturday.

The midfielder's 58th minute long-range strike was the difference between the two teams in a typically competitive match with Dick Campbell's side.

John Potter's team were made to rue several missed opportunities - particularly through Faissal El Bakhtaoui, debutant Lewis Allan and Josh Falkingham - as they slipped out of the play-offs and three points behind Brechin City, who they face at East End Park tomorrow (Tuesday).

There was a surprise in Potter's team selection as Michael Moffat was dropped to the bench as El Bakhtaoui made the starting line-up, as did Stuart Urquhart and Paul George in favour of Lewis Martin and David Hopkirk.

The Pars were backed by a large travelling support but the punters in the Angus sunshine had to wait until the 15th minute for the game's first effort at goal as Alex Whittle forced Rab Douglas into a smart stop from just outside the penalty area.

The Scouse full-back then showed his defensive qualities minutes later as he was in the right spot to block Darren Dods' goal-bound header on the line before Athletic created the best chance of the opening half.

El Bakhtaoui did well to break forward on the left hand side and, having beaten the covering defender and drew Douglas out to his near post, disappointingly hit the ball into the side net with Andy Barrowman and George both waiting for a pass six yards out.

George then saw a shot blocked and Whittle fired another effort over the top as Dunfermline pressed but Stuart Malcolm reminded them of Forfar's threat at set-pieces as he headed wide of goal.

Whittle had been getting forward to good effect on the left but an injury just before half-time forced him off to be replaced by Jim Paterson but it was his goalkeeper Ryan Scully who had to be alert just after the break to save well from Gavin Swankie.

Kyle McAusland's attempts to replicate his wonder strike against Stenhousemuir failed to materialse as he fired an effort over before Douglas comfortably held a second shot, but the Loons went even closer when Dale Hilson smacked a superb effort off the post.

But the relief was short lived as moments later Husband came back to haunt his former employers. A poor touch from Andy Geggan saw the Pars fail to clear their lines but Husband's strike was a beauty, curling into the top corner from fully 35-yards.

That gave the hosts a boost and Omar Kader could have made it two after Hilson cashed in on sloppy possession play from the Pars to set-up his team-mate 10 yards out but he blazed over.

Allan was then introduced for George and he almost had an immediate impact as he found himself one-on-one with Douglas but the veteran stopper spread himself well to save.

The on-loan Hibs forward was unfortunate to only head an excellent Geggan delivery wide of target but with 12 minutes left, Dunfermline's best chance of salvaging a point went begging as Falkingham headed wide from Paterson's pin-point delivery with the goal at his mercy.

Pars: Scully, Geggan, Whittle (Paterson 40), Urquhart, Buchanan, McAusland, George (Allan 61), Spence, Barrowman, Falkingham, El Bakhtaoui (Moffat 70).

Subs not used: Byrne, Millen, Hopkirk, Goodfellow.