Dundee 3, Dunfermline Athletic 2.

AN explosive start for Dunfermline failed to spark the Pars to their first away win of 2021.

Despite two goals in the opening minutes, it was delight for the home side who clawed their way back to win the game and go joint on points with second placed Raith Rovers.

After going out on penalties in the Scottish Cup on Tuesday when they failed to get on the scoresheet in 120 minutes of play, Dunfermline rediscovered their goal-den touch from the get-go.

With just six minutes on the clock, Stevie Crawford’s men were 2-0 up and looking like they could get more.

Five changes were made for the starting line up with Thomas, Watson, Fraser Murray, Wighton and Iain Wilson coming in.

New loan signing Ewan Henderson, who joined from Celtic late on Friday afternoon, was given a space on the bench.

With just two minutes on the clock, Dunfermline were ahead after Wighton delivered a cross to Kevin O’Hara who volleyed past Legzdins.

Just three minutes later, Wighton found himself with the ball in the box. He looked up and coolly chipped over the Dundee keeper to double Athletic’s lead.

Former Par Lee Ashcroft had a chance from a corner on 13 minutes but his header went just wide.

Fow Williams had to come to the rescue soon and reacted quickly to block a McMullan shot.

There were more heroics from the Pars keeper just before the 30 minute mark however, despite a double save, he wasn’t able to stop a third effort, this time from Jason Cummings on the line, which saw Dundee pulling a goal back.

Dundee came out looking the most dangerous and Mullen nearly put them ahead on 53 minutes when he hit the crossbar.

However, he was on the scoresheet a minute later when he netted after Fon Williams had saved an Ashcroft header from a corner.

Ashcroft got one against his old team just two minutes later when he had another headed effort from a McGowan corner.

Fon Williams had to come to the rescue again with low save at the post just before the 70 minute mark. He tupped it round the post for corner.

Substitute Banks whipped in a dangerous looking cross in the closing minutes but there was no way back for Dunfermline.

Dundee

Legzdins, Fontaine, McGowan, McDaid, Ashcroft, Elliot, McMullan, Sow (Mullen 38), Marshall, Anderson (Byrne 85), Cummings (Alofabi 89).

Subs: Ferrie, Kerr, Cameron, Fisher.

Goals: Cummings, Mullen, Ashcroft

Booked: Marshall, Anderson

Dunfermline

Fon Williams, Comrie, Edwards, Murray, O’Hara (McManus 69), Wighton, Wilson, Murray, Mayo, Thomas (Banks 69), Watson (Henderson 65).

Subs: Macdonald, McCann, Gill, McInroy.

Goals: O’Hara, Wighton

Referee: Bobby Madden