Lee Ashcroft's goal sends Dunfermline third in Championship

In appalling conditions at East End Park, the defender's 11th minute effort from Kallum Higginbotham's cross separated the sides and kept the Pars' play-off challenge alive.

They moved within six points of the Lions, who caused problems throughout, but Athletic held out for gritty and resilliant victory.

Unsurprisingly, same again was the message from Allan Johnston after Saturday's 3-1 win over Queen of the South in terms of his starting line-up.

The only alteration came on the bench, with Conner Duthie replacing Jean-Yves M'Voto, while ex-Pars Shaun Byrne and Scott Robinson both started for the visitors with another, defender Gregor Buchanan, named as a substitute.

A win for Dunfermline would have lifted them above Morton and into third place ahead of kick-off and, with only 11 minutes on the clock, they took the lead.

The difficult underfoot conditions didn't stop Kallum Higginbotham from sending a superb ball into the box from a deep lying position.

In attempting to deal with it, Craig Halkett was unfortunate to flick it with his head into the six yard area where the waiting Ashcroft made contact to divert it beyond Neil Alexander and into the back of the net.

It was exactly the start Athletic wanted but, a couple of minutes later, Lee Robinson was called upon to make a superb stop at close range from Ryan Hardie after he flicked Scott Pittman's effort towards goal.

The keeper then held a speculative Nicky Cadden free-kick as he tried to take advantage of the soaking surface but, with a quarter of the game gone, Tom Beadling wasn't too far away with a curling shot that ended the wrong side of the post.

But, on the half hour, the home side were fortunate Livingston didn't make more of a well-worked opportunity.

They worked the ball well to find Cadden at the edge of the box but, with Jackson Longridge in space to his left, he elected to shoot and, thankfully, it was wide of target.

The visitors ended the half strongly - save for a James Craigen free-kick in stoppage time that finished off-target - and Robinson again had to earn his corn with a smart finger-tip stop to deny Hardie after he pounced on an interception from Cadden's drilled ball into the middle.

Clark, with seven goals in three games including two trebles, had a chance to add to his scoring streak shortly after half-time.

A loose pass was seized upon by Ryan Williamson, who galloped into space before cutting the ball back for the striker, but his first-time was over the top.

Fraser Aird then had a go only for Alexander to hold but referee Stephen Finnie - not the most popular man with Pars fans at the best of times - infuriated the hosts minutes later.

Aird, in skipping away from Byrne in midfield, was clipped but he waved play on before inexplicably bringing the play back after the hosts had worked the ball forward into a decent position to drive towards the Lions box.

To be expected in the pouring rain and on a sodden pitch, the second half turned into a scrap but Lewis Martin produced some brilliant defending to prevent a 68th minute equaliser.

Longridge's cross was headed back across goal by substitute Lee Miller looking for Pittman, but Martin was there in the nick of time to clear for a corner as he looked set to net.

The Pars then went straight up the other end on the break, led by McManus, who had Martin bursting forward to his left.

He chose to go right to Higginbotham and they eventually worked the ball to Aird at the edge of the box, but his shot was blocked and the chance was gone.

McManus then fashioned an opportunity for himself with 13 minutes left when, after blocking Halkett's attempted clearance, he latched onto the loose ball and ran at goal, but his final effort lacked power.

Moments later, though, the Lions were indebted to Alexander for keeping them in the game.

Higginbotham, from the left, centred for Clark but he was denied by a brilliant piece of goalkeeping.

The ball dropped loose and, after Higginbotham tried to dance into space and shoot only to be blocked, Clark had another go but again Alexander was up to the task.

With four minutes left, a second goal was inches away when Beadling struck the post with a header from Higginbotham's deep free-kick and, although they had to survive a late penalty shout when Hardie went down under a challenge, Pars held on for a vital three points.

Pars: Robinson, Williamson, Morris, Ashcroft, Martin, Higginbotham, Beadling, Craigen, Aird, McManus, Clark.

Subs: Shiels, Duthie, Armstrong, Wedderburn, Talbot, Ryan, Gill.

Livingston: Alexander, Halkett, Longridge, Gallagher, Lithgow, Pittman, Jacobs, Cadden, Byrne, Hardie, Robinson.

Subs: Frizzell, De Vita, McMillan, Miller, Thompson, Buchanan, Maley.

Referee: Stephen Finnie.