Dundee 3 Dunfermline 3

A CHRISTMAS cracker of a comeback saw Dunfermline grab a point in Dundee.

Just as looked like it was going to be a nightmare before Christmas, Athletic pulled three goals out of the bag to provide an array of festive cheer.

It hadn’t looked good for the Pars with the home side dominating much of the match but a 78th goal from Paul Watson illuminated Stevie Crawford’s side into action.

A last gasp free kick from Declan McManus, which followed a spot kick, saw Dunfermline leave with a share of the spoils.

Stevie Crawford made two changes to the side which was beaten by penalties by St Johnstone with Steven Whittaker and Lewis Mayo starting in place of Fraser Murray and Aaron Comrie.

The first half wasn’t quite the 45 minutes that Pars fans would have been looking for with the home side on top throughout.

Dunfermline had keeper Owain Fon Williams to thank for just losing the one goal with his first taste of action in the first five minutes seeing him pull off an impressive save to prevent Dundee from taking the lead.

McGhee looked like he was to make an appearance on the scoresheet but the Pars goalie somehow managed to grab the ball and hold onto it.

Just before the 20 minute mark, it was Fon William’s legs that came to the rescue and blocked an effort from Christie Elliott.

Kyle Turner provided some rare optimism for Athletic minutes after but his low shot from the edge of the box was palmed round the post by Jack Hamilton.

It was another long range shot, this time from Dundee’s Charlie Adam, that saw the home side go ahead. He picked up the ball from around 35 years and fired his low range effort straight into the net, leaving the Pars stunned.

Dom Thomas had a shot from the edge of the box on the stroke of half time however his low drive was turned round for a corner.

The second half started badly for Dunfermline and Sow put them 2-0 ahead after 50 minutes when he nodded in a free kick.

On 70 minutes, it was another set piece, this time a Charlie Adam corner, which saw Fontaine make it three.

A Paul Watson header from a corner on 78 minutes made it 3-1 and the comeback was definitely on two minutes later when former Par Lee Ashcroft brought down sub Lewis McCann in the box.

McManus stepped up and slotted past Jack Hamilton.

Pars were in dreamland in injury time when Kyle Turner was brought down just outside the box.

Declan McManus curled in a fantastic free kick to make it level and ensure Dunfermline came away with a point.

 

Dundee: Hamilton, McGhee, Fontaine, Bryne, Mullen (Forster 85), McGowan, Ashcroft, Elliott, Sow (Afolabi 66), Marshall, Adam (Anderson 71).

Subs: Ferrie, Kerr, McDaid, Robertson.

Goal: Adam (34), Sow (50), Fontaine (70).

Dunfermline: Williams, Edwards, Murray, Turner, McManus, Dow, Whittaker (McCann 77), Mayo Thomas (O’Hara 54), McInroy (Wilson 45), Watson.

Subs: Gill, Bowman, Fenton, Berry.

Goals: Wilson (78), McManus (80), (90).

Booked: Wilson (69)

Referee: Grant Irvine