Published: Friday, 23rd January, 2009 12:50pm

Dunfermline came historic win at derby rivals Kirkcaldy

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Kirkcaldy 12 Dunfermline 19

Dunfermline's Scott Swankie in the thick of the action in Saturday's derby

DUNFERMLINE maintained their promotion push on Saturday with a derby day win at the home of league pacesetters and local rivals Kirkcaldy.

It was a historic day as they also scored their first league win at Beveridge Park since 1984 and put paid to the home side"s two-year unbeaten home run.

In truth the scoreline didn"t reflect the ease with which Dunfermline made it eight wins in a row and, with one of their closest rivals being defeated, they are now in a great position to climb to a new summit in their history.

Straight from their own kick-off Dunfermline applied the sort of defensive pressure that meant the home team were unable to mount any real attacks from open play.

This early pressure was rewarded when man of the match Ali O"Connor stroked over the first of his five successful shots at goal.

However, the lead was short-lived as a defensive mix up meant Dunfermline knocked on in their own 22, leading to a series of scrums where the pack were eventually pushed over their own line for Kirkcaldy to take a four-point lead.

Dunfermline gained more possession in the Kirkcaldy half from the kick-off, and once again waves of attacks led to the home team"s defence being stretched repeatedly.

The visitors were again rewarded with points from this pressure but this time it came in the shape of a superbly worked try.

From a line out Warren Daly came crashing through the midfield and from the quick ball Tommy McColl received an inside pass from O"Connor to gain more ground into the home 22.

His offload to Neil Harris made a few more precious yards and this allowed McColl time to recycle himself and he received a pass from Johnny Bruton before sending wing Graham Lowe diving in at the corner. O"Connor converted from the touchline.

Some superb open play then allowed Dunfermline to gain ground easily and Kirkcaldy were forced to give away penalties.

O"Connor stepped up to nudge the visitors into a six-point half-time lead and Kirkcaldy then brought on their prolific scoring number 8, Craig Wilson, as they looked to turn the game around.

He had an almost immediate effect as another knock-on in their own 22 saw Dunfermline have to try to deal with the home team"s main weapon, the scrum.

Wilson built up a head of steam to bowl over a couple of would-be tacklers and offload to his fellow centre for another power score.

Dunfermline were able to gain a further three points immediately as the ref felt Kirkcaldy"s over the top and aggressive celebrations were worthy of a penalty at the restart.

The McKane Park men coolly created a couple of phases and stretched the defence again, forcing them to be penalised and again O"Connor split the uprights.

O"Connor stepped forward to again reward the visiting pack for their output, slotting a 40-metre drop goal after some dogged defence.

Dunfermline"s defence held firm to seal the win and this week they have their first home game of 2009 against the last team to beat them, Cartha Queens Park. Kick-off is 2pm.