Dunfermline could well have taken a significant step in the battle to avoid SPL relegation on Saturday following a well deserved 1-0 win over Dundee United. If second bottom St Mirren lose at Falkirk on Monday, a once 9 point gap will have been whittled down to a solitary point before the teams go head to head in Paisley on April 30th.
Stephen Kenny spoke in the build up to the match that this game could be the Fifers' toughest of the post split fixtures but in the end the home side were well on top and preserved their 10 year unbeaten home record against the Taysiders.
After the creditable performance in the Scottish Cup, manager Kenny recalled Tam McManus and Stephen Glass, with Phil McGuire dropping out due to suspension and Adam Hammill left on the bench. Glass operated on the left side of midfield, with Scott Muirhead continuing at left back.
With the fans anxious for a victory, the Pars came flying out of the blocks and McManus saw a toe poked effort saved by Derek Stillie after only 45 seconds, but the linesman's flag was up in any case. But the move lifted the spirits of the home fans who were right behind the team for 90 minutes.
McManus, as in the home encounter with Hibernian, was mostly involved in all of the Pars good attacking play. His workrate and movement caused United problems all afternoon and he had two really good chances to open his Athletic account in the game's early stages.
Firstly, he saw a headed effort saved easily by Stillie after Jim O'Brien had sent in an excellent cross from the right before he flashed a header wide following another pin point delivery, this time from Greg Shields.
But then the home side wasted a golden opportunity to take the lead. Glass and McManus combined well and played the ball into Jim McIntyre, but the former United man fired the ball wide from eight yards when it was easier to hit the target.
And the Pars almost rued that miss as United broke in their first meaningful attack just after the half hour. Christian Kalvanes robbed O'Brien of possession and played a one two with Jon Daly and fired a shot at goal which Dorus De Vries smothered comfortably.
However, a sweeping move from the hands of De Vries saw the Athletic hit the front. Shields, out of position following United's break, received the ball on the right and he sent over another excellent ball which McManus met full on the volley and he hammered it into the net to spark wild celebrations all around the ground.
The goal was just reward for Dunfermline's dominance but were lucky not to concede a penalty with minutes of the half remaining as Jamie McCunnie appeared to push over a United player, but referee Alan Freeland waved play on.
United came out with a bit more purpose for the second period, with Barry Robson firing a free-kick over the bar and having a shot blocked by Scott Wilson.
Then the Pars should have made the game safe but managed to spurn yet another gilt edged chance. Glass broke through behind the United defence and lifted the ball over the advancing Stillie, but with the goal gaping, the on loan midfielder fired the ball over the bar.
The visitors then created their best chance of the match but Daly managed to head over the top from six yards out. United then appealed for a penalty as Lee Wilkie went down in the box, but Freeland made the correct call in waving away United's claims for a second time.
Goalscorer McManus went off to a hero's ovation from the crowd and was replaced by Adam Hammill, who created what should have been the second and clinching goal. He charged his way down the right to the bye-line, cutting the ball back for McIntyre. The Pars number 10 should have shot first time but instead took a touch and allowed the visiting defence to get back and block his shot.
The fear that Dunfermline could live to regret the missed chances proved unfounded as Stephen Kenny's men recorded their third win in four SPL outings. It was a well deserved victory with no failures from Dorus all the way through to Tam McManus up front.
The Pars have battled back from certain doom to be a point behind St Mirren, and if they gap remains the same by the time we head for Paisley, the team will be fully confident they can overhaul the Buddies and survive.
But first it is off to Hampden on Tuesday night in the hope of sealing a cup final spot and UEFA Cup football. If Stephen Kenny can achieve that and SPL survival, then he will be known as "God".
Match Stats
Dunfermline Athletic: De Vries, Shields, Wilson, Bamba, Glass, O'Brien (Daquin 90), Mason, McCunnie, Muirhead, McManus (Hammill 70), McIntyre (Burchill 85). Subs Not Used: McKenzie, Ross, Young, Thomson.
Goal: McManus (34)
Dundee United: Stillie, Kalvenes, McCracken, Wilkie, Gomis (Easton 63), Cameron, Daly, Dillon, Robson, Samuel (Robertson 78), Hunt (Goodwillie 63).Subs Not Used: McLean, Mair, Duff, McCord.
Walking Down the Halbeath Road MoM: Gary Mason
Attendance: 5,131
Referee: Alan Freeland
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