PARS 5 Queen of the South 0. Dunfermline are League One champions.

ATHLETIC are League One champions and have been promoted after routing Queen of the South with their biggest league win of the season this afternoon.

Needing a victory to be sure of the title, first half goals from the outstanding Kane Ritchie-Hosler and Matty Todd put James McPake's side in control, before Craig Wighton added a third early in the second half.

Wighton then grabbed his second, before substitute Kevin O'Hara netted a fifth late on, as the Pars picked up the third tier crown in style to secure an instant return to the Championship for next season.

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Ahead of the game, McPake had urged his players to enjoy the occasion, admitting he was jealous that he wasn't taking to the field, and they delivered the show that the near-6,000 crowd wanted.

From the off, they were eager to settle matters of their own accord as, if they didn't win against Marvin Bartley's in-form visitors, they would be title winners if Falkirk didn't defeat Airdrieonians.

Whilst the Bairns were held to a 2-2 draw, it was irrelevant as Dunfermline did their job and negate the need to rely on results elsewhere.

Speaking afterwards, McPake said: "I'm still pretty calm just now because I don't think it's sunk in.

"I'm just delighted for the players. I'm delighted to see them with their families out on the pitch after the game. I'm delighted with the performance; I thought it was excellent, against a Queen of the South team that were the form team in the league."

Captain, Kyle Benedictus, commented: "I'm absolutely buzzing.

"Obviously, inside the club, inside the dressing room, that was our main goal from the start of the season, without bumping our mouths like other teams have this season I think.

"It's nice to finally do it. I think it's fully deserved. I think we were the best team by a long way this season, and it's fully deserved."

Pars boss McPake made one alteration to the side that won at Peterhead on Tuesday night.

Wighton, who scored the second goal in the 2-0 win, and then signed a new contract with the club on Thursday, replaced Nikolay Todorov, who netted the first at Balmoor.

A party-like, yet expectant, atmosphere greeted the players as they took to the field, and the hosts were out to secure the victory that would ensure what happened elsewhere wouldn't matter.

Lewis McCann had a chance within the first couple of minutes, dragging a shot well wide after he was found on the right-edge of the six-yard area, before Queens keeper Kevin Dabrowski saved well from Wighton at the far post.

Midway through the first half, however, Dunfermline did make the all-important breakthrough.

Josh Edwards had done exceptionally well to win his side a corner after a surging solo run, from which Joe Chalmers played it short to Ritchie-Hosler.

The talented winger (below) moved infield onto his right foot and his shot, which looked to take a slight deflection, beat Dabrowski at his near post to send East End wild.

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It was what the Pars deserved after a positive opening, and the Doonhamers stopper had to be on his guard again to deny Ritchie-Hosler a second.

Bartley's side, themselves looking for points to stay in contention for the promotion play-offs, to their credit, began to gain a foothold in proceedings thereafter.

Connor Murray served a warning with a crisp, low drive that finished just wide of target, whilst ex-Par, Iain Wilson, couldn't generate enough power to trouble Deniz Mehmet after turning into a shooting position at the edge of the box.

But, just as East End began to get a bit jittery, the home fans were on their feet to cheer a second goal following a superb counter-attack.

Ritchie-Hosler, deep inside his own territory, started it, and sent the ball down the right for McCann.

The forward looked up, spotted the late run of Todd into the box and rolled it into the midfielder's path, who made no mistake with a fine finish for his 11th goal of the season.

Visiting boss Bartley made a triple half-time change in a bid to find a way back into it but, less than 10 minutes into the second half, Dunfermline hit his side with a third.

It was another lovely counter-attack, started by Todd, who did well to shift the ball wide left for McCann just on halfway.

The Pars forward then had plenty of space to run into, which he gladly accepted, before looking up to spot Wighton making a lung-bursting run into the box.

The ball was laid on a plate for the number nine who, despite not making the cleanest connection, did enough to send it into the far corner of the net.

That was Wighton's 17th of the campaign, and number 18 wasn't too far away.

Paul McGowan, on as a substitute after the third goal, swept the ball wide for Ritchie-Hosler, who himself would go off to a standing ovation as the clock ticked down.

From inside the box, he fired a shot towards the far post, which took a deflection, and fell kindly for Wighton to net from close range and make it 4-0.

The outcome between Falkirk and Airdrie was by now academic, but the Diamonds turning around a one-goal deficit to lead provided further cheer for the punters, who were by now creating a carnival atmosphere, serenading their heroes, including boss McPake.

With little more than 10 minutes to go, they were on their feet again to acclaim a fifth goal, as the Pars secured their biggest win of the season.

Allan was desperately unlucky with an effort from range that smacked the crossbar, but fellow sub O'Hara was alert to react first and head home the rebound for his third of the campaign.

Although O'Hara was denied a second by the post, and Edwards thwarted by Dabrowski on the follow-up, the lack of a sixth goal didn't matter as the Pars clinched promotion in style.

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Match stats

Pars: Mehmet, Comrie, Benedictus, Otoo, Edwards, Hamilton (McGowan 58), Ritchie-Hosler (Mahon 73), Chalmers (Allan 66), McCann (O'Hara 66), Todd (Mochrie 58), Wighton.

Subs: MacDonald, Todorov, Fenton, Little.

Goals: Ritchie-Hosler (23), Todd (39), Wighton (53, 64), O'Hara (79).

Queen of the South: Dabrowski, Wilson, P. McKay, Paton, Todd, Murray (Cochrane 45), East (Connelly 45), Hendrie, Irving (McKechnie 45), Logan, Brydon.

Subs: D. McKay, McKenna, Morrison, McMahon, Muir, Botterill.

Booked: Hendrie (51), McKechnie (73), Logan (84).

Referee: Ross Hardie.

Attendance: 5,892.