DUNFERMLINE'S chances of avoiding relegation from BT National League Three suffered a setback as they were beaten at Preston Lodge on Saturday.

Derek O’Riordan’s side found the going tough in Prestonpans as the hosts added to their 58-10 victory at McKane Park in September to move up into second in the table while Dunfermline remain third bottom.

With just four matches of the season remaining – and fellow relegation battlers Dalziel and Hawick YM having games in hand – the Blues face a huge clash with the latter at home on 21st February, who are just one point and one place above Dunfermline in the standings.

With a trip to eighth placed Perthshire and two home ties with Dalziel and Irvine – who Dunfermline beat in the reverse fixture in November – to come after the Hawick clash, hope remains for the McKane men and they made a bright start to this match but Zac Zropf’s second minute penalty was struck wide of the posts.

Preston however took advantage and driving forward play created an overlap for Jonathan Brash to cross for an unconverted try before Dunfermline soon found themselves further behind.

A penalty on their 10-metre line saw the hosts opt for a scrum and a blind side break released Dean Cunningham to score on the right with Hamish Munro successfully converting.

The usually reliable Zropf’s kicking seemed to desert him in the opening period as another penalty chance was missed following a break from deep by David Lovelock to the Preston 22 before the home side added another unconverted try, this time through Chris Dixon following a driving maul.

The second half was just 45 seconds old when Preston ran clear for another five points as Jonny Sked crossed for their fourth try of the afternoon which Munro converted to take the score to 24-0.

Still the visitors battled on and were rewarded with a try of their own. They forced the play deep into Preston territory and Alex Conyers was on hand to finish off their spell of pressure and Zropf added the extra two points to offer Dunfermline a glimmer of hope.

But Preston took control after a period of scrappy play and Raymond Mackie touched down for another try despite a suspicion of a knock-on in the build up.

With the home side dominating the forward exchanges prop Scott Rodgers added to the try count as he drove over from close in before Cameron Simpson completed the scoring from a good break by John Burns. Dunfermline to their credit endeavoured to gain some consolation but a driving run by Martin Punter was held out as the referee called time on a comfortable win for the hosts.

O’Riordan’s side will enjoy a free Saturday this weekend before returning to action at McKane against Hawick YM on Saturday 21st February. Kick off for the game will be at 3pm.