DUNFERMLINE’S hopes of recording their second home success of the season ended in disappointment as Perthshire snatched a narrow win on Saturday.

Derek O’Riordan’s team were humbled 59-11 at Hawick YM last time out but not even the consolation of a losing bonus point will be of comfort to the McKane men after they produced a performance that deserved more than a four-point defeat.

The sides’ first league clash of the season in National League Division Three evoked memories of their meetings last year as the visitors took the Caledonia League Division One title ahead of Dunfermline – and had won 39-0 on their previous league visit.

But this meeting proved to be a much tighter affair and it was the home side who began on the front foot, with influential number 10 Zac Zropf making an early break into Perthshire territory. Dunfermline quickly won a penalty on the 22-metre line and the Australian goalkicker made no mistake to put the first points of the afternoon on the board.

Although the home scrum was put under pressure by the visitors, the lineout functioned well and a rolling maul saw Dunfermline win another penalty that was converted by Zropf.

But their joy was shortlived as, after failing to deal effectively with the restart, Perthshire number eight Duncan Clow drove forward to score an unconverted try before second row Adam Pattinson crossed for another score that was converted by Clow.

But in an end-to-end match, the home side responded immediately from the restart and forced a penalty for failing to release the ball in the ruck, with Zropf again on hand to add another three points to the McKane side’s tally.

A bright start to the second half gave Dunfermline the edge and good interplay from the forwards and backs was finished off by Craig McKenziem, who crossed wide on the right for what proved to be their only try of the afternoon.

Both sides were penalised frequently by the referee but it was Perthshire who benefited first with a penalty from Clows. This was negated by a well-struck penalty from Zropf and with a two-point lead, Dunfermline dug in and weathered a storm of determined play by the visitors, clearing their lines after a series of five-metre scrums.

As both sides attempted to gain dominance, play became scrappy with infringements. Unfortunately for Dunfermline, Clows had the measure of the elements as he converted two more penalties to secure the win for Perthshire.

Despite the disappointing end to the match, O’Riordan’s team can take heart from their recent improved performances and next time out will look to complete the double over Dumfries after their recent win at McKane. The fixture has been rearranged from 14th February due to a traditional international weekend fixture for the hosts and will now take place on Saturday 22nd November with a 2pm kick-off.