Dunfermline Athletic 4, Dumbarton 0

FIFTY years and a day since Dunfermline lifted the Scottish Cup at Hampden, the Pars eased their way into the premiership play offs.

The victory looked likely throughout with Athletic looking impressive and dominant for the majority of the match.

They were given a helping hand by referee Colin Steven as Dumbarton lost their captain, Craig Barr, within the first ten minutes after a shocking tackle on Andy Ryan.

With only ten men, the visitors never looked like spoiling the play off chances.

Allan Johnston made one change to the side that grabbed a late draw at Inverness last week with captain Morris returning to the starting line up in place of M’Voto.

Dunfermline showed their intent straight from the off and were causing problems for the second bottom team within seconds.

Nicky Clark was laid off by Andy Ryan however his shot didn’t trouble Ewings.

The sparse away following were left unhappy on eight minutes when Barr was given his marching orders however the decision appeared a fair one.

Andy Ryan was nearly one on one with the keeper however Barr’s wild swipe stopped him in his tracks and saw him heading to the dressing room.

Dumbarton looked to have come out fighting and found themselves straight into the Dunfermline box and could have gone ahead through Nisbet had it not been for a great parried save from Robinson.

However, their positiveness seemed to drain just three minutes later when Pars started an attacking assault. Williamson crossed onto the head of Clark whose effort was unsuccessful but the ball dropped to Andy Ryan whose volley produced a great save.

The home side only had to wait another four minutes to get on the score sheet and it was well worth the wait.

Aird swung in a fantastic cross which fell to Higginbotham and his right foot volley was destined for nowhere but the back of the net.

Dunfermline doubled their lead five minutes later. It was Higginbotham again who picked up agreed ball from Aird in the box and he dinked it past the keeper to claim his brace.

It was all the Pars for the rest of the half and their confident passing and dominance meant the Sons didn’t really got a look in.

Higginbotham nearly made it three just after the 40 minute mark when he rocketed in a long range shot which hammered off the Dumbarton crossbar.

The third goal did come just before half time with a fantastic solo effort from Fraser Aird. He got the ball in the box and looked like he was pull the ball back but, instead, went for goal and slotted it home.

The second half was a little flatter however this was maybe understandable as Dunfermline kept an eye on the oncoming play off tie.

However they stayed in full control of the game and didn’t give much of the ball to their opponents.

Two-goal hero Higginbotham was brought off with half an hour to go and he was replaced by the lively Cardle continued to cause problems for the Dumbarton defence.

There was an unusual name added to the scoresheet on 63 minutes when Ryan Williamson bagged his first Dunfermline goal.

Cardle produced some great work in the box but couldn’t get a shot in. He laid it off to Williamson who was delighted to slot the ball past the keeper and enjoyed his celebration.

On 75 minutes, Cardle found substitute McManus in the box however his shot scraped across the face of goal and went wide.

McManus looked dangerous five minutes later when he got the ball on the edge of the box and curled in a shot which was well saved by Jamie Ewings.

Dunfermline: Robinson, Williamson, Martin, Morris, Ashcroft (Talbot 45), Craigen, Vincent, Aird, Higginbotham (Cardle 60), Ryan, Clark (McManus 65).

Subs: Gill, Shiels, Armstrong, Wedderburn.

Goals: Higginbotham (17), (23), Aird (45), Williamson (63)

Dumbarton: Ewings, Smith, Carswell, Hutton, Hill, Russell (Gallagher 22), Wilson, Burt (Handling 74), Stirling, Barr, Nisbit (Stewart 60).

Subs: Gallacher, Wilson, Froxylias.

Red Cards: Barr (8)

Referee: Colin Steven

Attendance: 5506