DERBY day hero Fraser Murray is hopeful that the midweek demolition of Raith Rovers can act as a springboard for Dunfermline's promotion challenge.

The on-loan Hibernian midfielder bagged two goals - including a superb free-kick - as the Pars hammered their neighbours 4-1 on Wednesday to move back into second place.

It also ended a run of three games without a goal for Stevie Crawford's side, who travel to Arbroath this afternoon.

Leaders Hearts moved 12 points clear with a 1-0 win at Ayr United last night but Murray wants Dunfermline to build on their midweek performance to maintain their push for at least a play-off spot.

"We have gone through a sticky patch, but the main thing was not to lose most of the games that we drew," he said.

"That shows that we are solid at the back, we just needed a bit of luck and we got that on Wednesday night. We never got that on Saturday (in the 1-0 loss at Hearts) but we played well and created a lot.

"Hopefully we can kick on from here now and take this performance into Saturday against Arbroath.

"The aim at the start was to be in the play offs, Hearts are starting to get away a bit now but we showed that we can compete against Hearts and beat them. Had we been a little lucky it would have been different at the weekend.

"I think everyone to a man carried out the manager’s game plan perfectly. The way we started the game pressing wise, the way we took care of the ball, we created a good few chances and everyone on the park was brilliant.

"You saw at the weekend against Hearts, on another day you are going to get three or four goals in that game if it wasn’t for Craig Gordon. The main thing from Saturday going into Wednesday’s game was to take those chances and one was bound to go in.

"I thought Saturday’s was one of our better performances this season creating chances, defending well. Mayo coming into centre mid has done well in there. The boys at the back - Watson, Muzz, Aaron and Josh have been solid at the back all season. They have not been conceding goals.

"Obviously, the boys upfront including myself have been playing well but it has just not been falling for us to score goals.

"Thankfully against Raith it was one of those nights where everything seemed to go in."

Dunfermline Press:

Fraser Murray fires home his free-kick on Wednesday.

Crawford, who was waiting to find out the extent of the injury suffered by Ryan Dow on Wednesday evening, is anticipating a tough task against Dick Campbell's team but has taken heart from the Rovers showing.

"It was really encouraging," he said.

"I know its been a tough wee period there for the supporters as well as the players, and it's just a really positive result now to take us into the Arbroath game.

"Last Saturday was a really good performance against Hearts. The only disappointment was that we didn’t take anything from the game.

"(On Wednesday) I didn’t see players sulking, we change up again in personnel and as I say we have come away with another positive performance and a lot of really good play in the final third as well."

Crawford, who also said Euan Murray was replaced late on against Raith as a precaution, added: "It's a difficult place to go.

"I think the pleasing thing is we've went up there already this season and won (in the Betfred Cup), but that doesn't guarantee you a victory come Saturday.

Dunfermline Press:

Captain Euan Murray led Dunfermline to victory on their last trip to Arbroath.

"It'll be a tough game and I'll be asking for more of the same from when we went up there earlier in the season."