JOHN HUGHES hailed last night's derby victory as one for the fans as Athletic gave their survival hopes a huge boost.

In the final meeting of the season with Raith Rovers, goals from Kevin O'Hara, either side of half-time, sealed a valuable three points.

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It was a great performance from Dunfermline, who looked in control for the majority of the game, and Hughes, post-match, said: "First half we were very good, could’ve scored more goals, second half we were a little bit off it but kept the shape and, once again, kept that clean sheet and managed the game well.

"We had a few chances second half as well. It’s football so it’s fine margins; the one we got in the second half was a scrappy goal from a set piece. You’re wishing it happened earlier, but we take it. It was a good result.

"I said it to the boys, but it’s one game at a time; we’re not getting carried away. This one was for the supporters. I knew they would come out and play their part.

"We didn't have to ask them to do anything, I think it was over 5000 that were here tonight.

"It was a good advert for Scottish football and I’m delighted that we won it."

It's O’Hara that will be taking much of the plaudits after his performance and two goals were the difference between the two sides.

Hughes was full of praise for the player, who has been playing a somewhat unfamiliar role, continuing: "I’ve had many discussions with him.

"I think Kevin sees himself as an out and out goal scorer, left and right foot, which he is. I’ve asked him to put that to one side and sometimes these guys forget to press from the front and get after it.

"We’ve asked him to put that in his game and hoping the goals will come. He got two tonight and could’ve had another one but we’ll take the two so I’m delighted for him."

Two great chances that weren’t taken fell to Steven Lawless and Kevin O’Hara either side of half time.

Had they gone in, Dunfermline would've comfortable and, when asked if his team should've wrapped up the contest sooner, Hughes replied: "Yep, but that’s football.

"As long as we keep our clean sheet. We had enough chances in the first half to win the game, I felt we were very very good.

"In the second half we just had to manage it a bit more and I felt when they went 4-4-2 I thought the game might’ve opened up for us a little bit in terms of those straight lines and we’re good at playing against that system it just never materialised.

"I still thought we created enough chances in the second half and we managed the game very very well."

It's a crucial three points for Dunfermline, who are now six points clear of bottom side Queen of the South, and within two points of eighth-placed Ayr United, ahead of Saturday's trip to Kilmarnock.

"As I say that’s for the supporters and everyone connected to Dunfermline," Hughes added.

"It’s three points hopefully towards our survival in this league. We just need to stick together and keep battling away in this league.

"If you’ve seen us over the last three or four games apart from Inverness to be where we are and to play the style of football that we are on the front foot, the fans are enjoying it.

"You can see a connection with them. That’s all credit to the players and the very hard work done on the training pitch, there's good spirit amongst them and I think that’s evident."