Harry Curran came into the side that lost to Hearts and Steve Welsh was relegated to the bench. Dunfermline probably played better on Wednesday but Celtic failed to kill the game until the 86th minute. Chances came Dunfermline’s way but you have to wonder if they have anyone who can shoot properly. Starting the second match running without a corner kick taker we failed to take anything from a series of first half corners.

Sergio Duarte played a different kind of football to that Pars fans are accustomed. Skipper Dave Barnett was awarded the sponsors home man of the match.

The first half was a pretty dull affair but Celtic pressure in the second half brought the opening goal in 67 minutes when Regi Blinker’s shot was deflected off Greg Shields giving Westwater no chance.

The Pars brought on their subs and through Andy Tod forward but it was Celtic who broke away and Henrik Larsson beat Westie on his near post.

As teams below us in the League continue to win points as we have played the top three clubs things could have been worse if half time scores been final scores. Had Killie drawn and Aberdeen won then we would have been sitting 9th. Probably good that Motherwell lost but it is important that points are collected in the coming matches against St Johnstone, Hibs, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock.

DUNFERMLINE: Ian Westwater, Greg Shields, Colin Miller, Andy Tod, Dave Barnett, Harry Curran (David Bingham 70), George Shaw (Allan Moore 73), Sergio Duarte, Andy Smith, Hamish French, Gerry Britton (Steven Welsh 83)
Yellow Card: Barnett (74), Bingham (78)
Referee Hugh Dallas (Motherwell)
Attendance 12,627
League position 7th
Next match v St Johnstone (away) Saturday 8th November