Christmas shopping must have been a serious alternative to this Premier League clash in which Dunfermline sought to reverse their 2-0 home defeat of the opening day of the season. Dunfermline still without Andy Smith suspended should be looking for points off Motherwell if they are to serious mid tablers.

Only noteworthy incidents of the first half was the carrying off of three players - Petrie and McCulloch of the Pars and McMillan of Well.

Coyle hit two in the second half which he later claimed had knocked the stuffing out of Dunfermline. A solo effort after 61 minutes and a volley 9 minutes later. Andy Tod hit the bar on 78 minutes but this was the Pars best chance.

With Dunfermline failing to score in their last three League matches Andy Smith’s return will be a welcome sight.

Dunfermline Athletic: Westwater; Den Bieman (Shaw
79min), Barnett, Tod; Shields, Curran, Robertson,
Bingham, McCulloch (Duarte 27min); French, Petrie
(Moore 10min).

Scorer: Motherwell: Coyle 61, 69.

Referee: J Young (Thornliebank).
Attendance: 4,607.
League position 6th

Next match v Hearts (home) Saturday 27th December
all ticket for Hearts fans only