Arbroath 2 PARS 3

ATHLETIC survived a second half fightback from Arbroath to jump up into the promotion play-off places after victory this afternoon.

James McPake's side have gone above Airdrieonians, who have two games in hand, into fourth place in the Championship by two points after their success against bottom of the table Lichties.

Ewan Otoo put the Pars ahead after 24 minutes, firing low beyond Derek Gaston from the edge of the box after the hosts failed to clear a Josh Edwards throw, before Paul Allan's free-kick made it 2-0 after 33 minutes.

On-loan St Johnstone striker, Chris Kane, added a third just before half-time, knocking in on the rebound after Malachi Fagan-Walcott saw a header come back off the crossbar.

Eight minutes into the second half, Scott Stewart pulled one back for Arbroath, under the charge of ex-Pars player and manager, Jim McIntyre, at the far post from Michael McKenna's corner, before he added his and his team's second from another set piece just after the hour mark.

Dunfermline, however, held on for a third successive victory that moves them into the final Premiership promotion play-off spot, and nine points clear of second bottom Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who lost at Partick Thistle.

We'll have more reaction to Pars' win in this week's Press Sport.