DUNFERMLINE secured a vital home win in their battle to avoid relegation as three tries helped them overcome bottom dogs Murrayfield Wanderers on Saturday.

Scott Gracie (2) and Thomas Murray wrapped up the victory but they failed to secure a bonus point.

With a tough trip to third-placed Preston Lodge to come this weekend, Dunfermline will take confidence from an assured display where they looked the more enterprising team and finished strongly.

They also opened the match well and showed their intent by running the ball from deep, with a Graeme Low kick forcing a poor clearance which allowed the home side to set up Gracie to score, with Zac Zropf adding the conversion.

The visitors, however, responded with a sustained period of possession that was rewarded with a try of their own through Brendan Reid but Dunfermline once more began to get the upper hand with good line-out and driving forward play supplying ball for the backs.They eventually forced a penalty which was converted from 30 metres from Zropf before a break from Harry Masters released Gracie for his second try of the afternoon, only for Zropf’s conversion attempt to come back off the upright.

A driving run by Adam Nicol deserved better as Murrayfield were penalised close in, but Zropf accepted the three points on offer before half-time.

Murrayfield pressed from the restart and quickly threatened the home line. A penalty close in was taken quickly and with Dunfermline penalised for failing to retreat fast enough, Lewis Pratten accepted the three points for the visitors. A sustained period of possession followed but the Dunfermline defence gave them no reward. Derek O’Riordan’s side varied their play well using both forwards and backs but the visitors managed to hold them out. Enterprising back play then took Murrayfield close to the home line but they were held out by strong tackling before Dunfermline worked their way deep into the visitors’ half.

Two hold and drives from line outs allowed Zropf the break into the visitors’ 22 and freed Thomas Murray to cross under the posts, with Zropf adding the extras to complete the scoring.

Kick-off for tomorrow’s clash in Prestonpans is at 3pm.

DUNFERMLINE secured a vital home win in their battle to avoid relegation as three tries helped them overcome bottom dogs Murrayfield Wanderers on Saturday.

Scott Gracie (2) and Thomas Murray wrapped up the victory but they failed to secure a bonus point.

With a tough trip to third-placed Preston Lodge to come this weekend, Dunfermline will take confidence from an assured display where they looked the more enterprising team and finished strongly.

They also opened the match well and showed their intent by running the ball from deep, with a Graeme Low kick forcing a poor clearance which allowed the home side to set up Gracie to score, with Zac Zropf adding the conversion.

The visitors, however, responded with a sustained period of possession that was rewarded with a try of their own through Brendan Reid but Dunfermline once more began to get the upper hand with good line-out and driving forward play supplying ball for the backs.They eventually forced a penalty which was converted from 30 metres from Zropf before a break from Harry Masters released Gracie for his second try of the afternoon, only for Zropf’s conversion attempt to come back off the upright.

A driving run by Adam Nicol deserved better as Murrayfield were penalised close in, but Zropf accepted the three points on offer before half-time.

Murrayfield pressed from the restart and quickly threatened the home line. A penalty close in was taken quickly and with Dunfermline penalised for failing to retreat fast enough, Lewis Pratten accepted the three points for the visitors. A sustained period of possession followed but the Dunfermline defence gave them no reward. Derek O’Riordan’s side varied their play well using both forwards and backs but the visitors managed to hold them out. Enterprising back play then took Murrayfield close to the home line but they were held out by strong tackling before Dunfermline worked their way deep into the visitors’ half.

Two hold and drives from line outs allowed Zropf the break into the visitors’ 22 and freed Thomas Murray to cross under the posts, with Zropf adding the extras to complete the scoring.

Kick-off for tomorrow’s clash in Prestonpans is at 3pm.