Pars 3 Morton 1

THE Pars wrapped up their home fixtures in the Championship with victory over play-off hopefuls Morton this afternoon.

Although former Pars loanee Lawrence Shankland cancelled out Nicky Clark’s third minute opener before half-time, Michael Moffat and Rhys McCabe’s well-taken strikers after the break saw Allan Johnston’s team end their home fixtures on a high note.

And with sixth-placed Queen of the South drawing at Falkirk, a point for Athletic at Palmerston next Saturday will ensure they end in a highly credible fifth place.

After going off with a knee injury during the penalty controversy last week against Falkirk, Sean Murdoch recovered to start in goal but Andy Geggan and Callum Morris both missed out, with Ryan Williamson and Callum Fordyce coming in to the team.

They barely had time to settle into the game when the home team made the perfect start after just three minutes.

Dunfermline broke on the right through Michael Moffat – back in the side for David Hopkirk – and he cut the ball back for Rhys McCabe at the edge of the box.

The midfielder’s shot was spilled by Morton goalie Derek Gaston and, after thumping the bar with his first effort, Clark made no mistake second time around from about eight yards.

Despite the early goal, the game had a predictably end of season feel to it throughout the opening quarter, with a Michael Tidser free-kick that ended up with the away fans behind Murdoch’s goal as exciting as it got until the 19th minute.

Scott Tiffoney embarked on a good run down the visitors’ left and played a neat low cross for Gary Oliver at the near post, but his deft flick was read and stopped by the ever-alert Murdoch.

Having already picked up two player of the year awards from supporters before the club’s official event at the Glen Pavilion tonight, Murdoch showed why he has been so highly valued soon afterwards with a fine stop from Lewis Strapp’s well-hit drive from distance.

The game however needed a spark and it almost came for the hosts 10 minutes before the interval.

Moffat was the creator, playing a neat ball into Williamson’s path and, after skipping away from a ‘Ton defender, shot for goal but Gaston blocked.

Just moments later, Morton equalised and it was a former Par who did the damage.

Strapp’s throw from the left was flicked on by Ricki Lamie at the near post and Shankland, who spent time at East End during season 2013-14, headed beyond the helpless Murdoch.

Athletic set about trying to respond, with McCabe and Moffat both having shots blocked, while Jamie Lindsay tried to pass one into the net for Morton but put the ball wide.

Dunfermline had Jason Talbot to thank for not going into the interval behind when, after Michael Doyle looked set to score from Shankland’s cross, he got just ahead of Jamie McDonagh to head over his own bar.

But, just like in the opening period, Athletic took the lead within minutes of the action resuming.

It was a lovely goal too with Higginbotham supplying the ammunition; his low cross from the right was on a plate for Moffat to knock home on the slide from around six yards.

There was a standing ovation for Paul McMullan as he was soon subbed and replaced by Michael Paton before half-hearted appeals for a penalty after a Strapp challenge on Williamson were waved away.

The full-back was unlucky not to have an effort on target when he did well to latch on to an exquisite Higginbotham dink and flick it beyond an opponent, but his finish was blocked.

Murdoch dealt easily with an Oliver strike from range moments later as the contest became quite scrappy, with neither side looking particularly threatening.

Kudus Oyenuga was brought on by Jim Duffy for Doyle with 18 minutes left in a bid to change that for the visitors and he almost immediately carved out a chance, flicking a ball on for Shankland – which also caused a collision between Fordyce and Williamson – but the ‘Ton scorer was flagged offside.

Smith was then brought on for the final nine minutes in place of Clark and Moffat immediately tried his best to send the youngster clear, but Lamie was comfortable in shepherding the ball back to his goalkeeper.

But the teen striker can claim an assist for Dunfermline’s clinching goal and showed the maturity that means he is so highly thought of by Johnston.

Picking the ball up on the left, he did well to hold possession and then be aware of McCabe’s position at the edge of the area.

He rolled the ball into the midfielder’s path who, with the aid of a slight deflection, sent the ball flying into the top corner and put the seal on a fine afternoon’s work.

Pars: Murdoch, Williamson, Ashcroft, Fordyce, Talbot, Higginbotham, Wedderburn, McCabe, McMullan, Moffat, Clark.

Subs: Morrison, Reilly, Cardle, Spence, Smith, Paton, Hutton.

Goals: Clark (3), Moffat (50), McCabe (86).

Morton: Gaston, Kilday, Lamie, Doyle, Oliver, Lindsay, Tidser, Shankland, McDonagh, Tiffoney, Strapp.

Subs: Scullion, Russell, Donnelly, Oyenuga, Armour, Mitchell, McGowan.

Goal: Shankland (37).

Referee: Euan Anderson.

Attendance: 3,339.