The hosts were relegated from BT National League Division Three when Dalziel defeated them in their penultimate match two weeks previously and will at least return to the Caledonia regional leagues after just one season on the back of a win – but without coach Derek O’Riordan.

The Irishman, who led Dunfermline to promotion in his first season in charge, informed the club of his intention to leave to concentrate on other interests last month but he will be happy in the knowledge that his team put on a show for the home fans.

A strong wind ensured difficult conditions for both teams but it was Dunfermline who opened the scoring after 15 minutes when Iain Spence touched down on the left after a patient spell of possession but Zac Zropf’s conversion attempt was missed.

Neil McMillan tried to reply for Irvine but was bundled into touch and, from the resulting lineout, Dunfermline made their way upfield and worked the ball to Graeme Low to bag his first try of the afternoon.

The home side’s lead was extended to 15 points after 23 minutes when a crossfield move started by Martin Punter was finished off by Liam Quarm and they were denied a fourth try by the half-time whistle as Fraser Cowe raced towards the line from just 50 metres out.

Dunfermline were not to be denied and shortly after the interval, Punter charged towards the visiting line and Low was on hand to score the bonus point try which Zropf converted.

It appeared that Dunfermline were coasting to victory but Irvine had other ideas, hitting back with two converted tries from Vaughan Meredith and Alistair Maxwell before Blair Jardine’s unconverted score brought them to within three points with 12 minutes left on the clock.

But any hopes the visitors had of pulling off an unlikely triumph were ended when a series of penalties resulted in Craig McKenzie crossing the line for Dunfermline’s fifth try – converted by Zropf – to finish a difficult campaign on a bright note.

The hosts were relegated from BT National League Division Three when Dalziel defeated them in their penultimate match two weeks previously and will at least return to the Caledonia regional leagues after just one season on the back of a win – but without coach Derek O’Riordan.

The Irishman, who led Dunfermline to promotion in his first season in charge, informed the club of his intention to leave to concentrate on other interests last month but he will be happy in the knowledge that his team put on a show for the home fans.

A strong wind ensured difficult conditions for both teams but it was Dunfermline who opened the scoring after 15 minutes when Iain Spence touched down on the left after a patient spell of possession but Zac Zropf’s conversion attempt was missed.

Neil McMillan tried to reply for Irvine but was bundled into touch and, from the resulting lineout, Dunfermline made their way upfield and worked the ball to Graeme Low to bag his first try of the afternoon.

The home side’s lead was extended to 15 points after 23 minutes when a crossfield move started by Martin Punter was finished off by Liam Quarm and they were denied a fourth try by the half-time whistle as Fraser Cowe raced towards the line from just 50 metres out.

Dunfermline were not to be denied and shortly after the interval, Punter charged towards the visiting line and Low was on hand to score the bonus point try which Zropf converted.

It appeared that Dunfermline were coasting to victory but Irvine had other ideas, hitting back with two converted tries from Vaughan Meredith and Alistair Maxwell before Blair Jardine’s unconverted score brought them to within three points with 12 minutes left on the clock.

But any hopes the visitors had of pulling off an unlikely triumph were ended when a series of penalties resulted in Craig McKenzie crossing the line for Dunfermline’s fifth try – converted by Zropf – to finish a difficult campaign on a bright note.