PARS 2 Clyde 1

A LAST minute goal from Lewis McCann kick-started Athletic's championship party in style after it secured a win over Clyde this afternoon.

Ahead of the team being presented the League One trophy, the forward's fine effort from the edge of the box, in stoppage time, gave James McPake's side victory to ensure they finish the campaign on a high.

Cameron Salkeld had given the Bully Wee, who will contest the relegation play-offs, a surprise early lead, before Kane Ritchie-Hosler levelled just before the break.

However, McCann's effort not only gave the Pars all three points, it ensured that they have become the first Athletic side to finish a league campaign unbeaten at home post-war - and stretched their undefeated League One streak to 23 games.

That gave East End Park a huge lift before suspended skipper, Kyle Benedictus, lifted the silverware in front of a delighted crowd.

Pars assistant boss, Dave Mackay, said: "It was great, it was brilliant that we could do it with a win. It was nowhere near our best performance of the season, by a long shot.

"We scored when it matter and it was good to win it on the day we get the trophy.

"The boys have put so much into over the course of the season.

"I'm delighted we got that last-minute winner.

"You didn't want it to be a draw or a defeat or whatever - I don't think the boys have deserved that across the course of the season."

The champions made two changes from last weekend's draw at Airdrieonians, one of which was enforced.

Benedictus, who was red-carded in that game alongside substitute, Kevin O'Hara, missed out, whilst Lewis McCann dropped to the bench, with Chris Hamilton and Paul McGowan coming in.

A large crowd had gathered inside East End and, as the players emerged, with the visitors affording them a guard of honour, they were greeted by a large banner display in the North West Stand that bore 'champions' on it.

The home fans were anticipating a show against the second bottom Bully Wee, who began the day five points clear of bottom side, Peterhead.

They were looking to secure ninth spot, and a chance to avoid relegation in the play-offs, but, despite their lowly league position, they had caused Pars problems this season.

A 2-0 win for Athletic in their first meeting was followed by a 2-2 draw at East End - when Clyde were 2-0 up - and a 1-1 draw in January, a game in which the Bully Wee had led.

And they were at it again as they attempted to spoil Dunfermline's party.

A low key start to proceedings suddenly changed in the 12th minute when Duffy's men broke on the right and Salkeld, from the edge of the box, fired a superb shot across Deniz Mehmet and into the far corner.

It was just the 10th goal conceded by Dunfermline at home this season, and it threatened their proud record of having yet to taste defeat during the campaign on their home patch, as well as a run of 22 games in League One without loss.

Dunfermline were flat for large periods of the first half and, although Chris Mochrie saw a shot blocked, it was Clyde who were almost in for a second goal.

A ball through the Pars defence found the run of Salkeld but, fortunately, he could only scoop his effort into the arms of Mehmet.

Ritchie-Hosler then sliced horribly wide, whilst Paul Allan and Mochrie both sent efforts off-target, as the hosts looked like going in at the break behind.

But they didn't thanks to the on-loan Rangers winger just on the half-time whistle.

Allan did really well on the right, keeping the ball alive under pressure before passing back to Aaron Comrie.

He crossed into the box and Craig Wighton, with a deft touch, laid it off for Ritchie-Hosler, who finished low and across Ryan Mullen for his third Dunfermline goal.

Jon Craig hit one over for Clyde as they looked to regain the initiative in the second half, whilst Mochrie, again, tried his luck from range for Athletic, but once more didn't find the target.

Liam Scullion, with a close-range finish from a cross from the left, had the ball in the net for Clyde, but was flagged offside, before ex-Kelty Hearts man, Kyle Doherty, almost gave Mehmet a nightmare moment when he closed down the keeper as he attended to a pass back, blocked his clearance, but the ball, fortunately, went over.

Mochrie, not for the first time, tried to find a route to goal from range, this time driving wide from distance, but, despite various substitutions, Dunfermline didn't really go close until Joe Chalmers saw an effort deflected wide in the 80th minute.

But, in stoppage time, Dunfermline got the party going when they bagged the winning goal thanks to McCann, who fired an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box into the net.

It ensured the Pars finished the season unbeaten in the league - and got the celebrations started in style.

Match stats

Pars: Mehmet, Comrie, Hamilton, Otoo, Edwards (Fenton 80), Chalmers, Allan (Todorov 65), Ritchie-Hosler, McGowan (McCann 65), Mochrie (MacDonald 72), Wighton (Mahon 72).

Sub not used: Little.

Goals: Ritchie-Hosler (45), McCann (90).

Clyde: Mullen, Lyon, Craig, Sula, McLean, Hynes, Quitongo (Kennedy 61), Doherty (Rennie 76), Scullion (Thicot 70), Salkeld (Duthie 76), Roberts.

Subs not used: McDonald, Cameron, Breadley Hurst.

Goal: Salkeld (12).

Booked: Salkeld (36).

Referee: Colin Steven.

Attendance: 6,005.