DUNFERMLINE signed off for 2014 with a narrow loss to National League Three leaders Lasswade at McKane last Saturday.

Two Zac Zropf penalties were not enough to prevent the hosts’ 10th defeat in 13 matches, but Derek O’Riordan’s men could take some consolation from a losing bonus point as the visitors were made to sweat during a tense afternoon.

Despite a thumping 49-13 defeat in September’s reverse fixture, Dunfermline were more than a match for their high-flying opponents and looked dangerous throughout the opening half, with Zropf dictating proceedings at stand off.

And it was the Australian’s boot that allowed the home side to open the scoring just after the half hour, converting a 40-metre penalty given for offside, and that proved enough for them to lead at half-time. But Lasswade turned up the pressure after the restart and prop Graeme Cook put them ahead with the game’s opening try, breaking from a ruck beyond the tackles of two Dunfermline players to cross for a well-worked try.

But their lead only lasted a few minutes as the dependable Zropf kicked the match back into the McKane men’s favour with his second penalty of the afternoon after Lasswade were penalised for offside.

With neither side dominating, a mistake from the home side allowed Kyle Smith to gather the ball on halfway and he found the supporting Andy Hall to touch down for an unconverted try before an infringement in the ruck allowed Stephen Hunter to kick over a penalty to end Dunfermline’s hopes and leave them three points adrift of safety in second bottom position.

Their next match is on Saturday 10th January away to RHC RFC. Kick off is at 2pm.