Dunfermline got their act together after the disaster at Ibrox but it was a night that was never going to be the Pars’. The team without injured Dave Bingham and Stewart Petrie took some time to settle. In the 13th minute Neil McCann took advantage of a great rip through the heart of the Pars defence to put Hearts one up

One down at half time Gerry Britton had been presented with the best Dunfermline chance after 30 minutes when a Shields cross from the left set him up with a shot that rebounded off the left upright.

The other Hearts goals came really from midfield blunders as French teed up for Hearts to cash in. Dunfermline had their fair share of pressure in the second half and Hearts second from Stephane Adam in the 73rd minute was against the run of play.

Duarte had a shot at goal stopped by Gerry Britton. Then Gerry had a shot hit Andy Smith when net bound. Allan Moore came on and brought some width to the attack. Shaw and Smith combined well on the right to conjure up the Pars goal in the 76th minute, big Andy SMITH netting from close in.

Barnett had a glorious chance to equalise but Pontin’s challenge saved a goal but cost him an injury. Colin Miller and Greg Shields had good attempts from set pieces and in the 90th minute from what looked as though it would be the Pars last chance everyone save Westie was forward for an indirect free kick from the right; with the ball running behind Hamish French on the 18yard line the Pars man stuck a foot out behind him and set up Hearts third goal.

Steve Fulton ran the length of the pitch to meet a Neil McCann pass and with everyone looking at the linesman for offside the Hearts no.8 round off an unfortunate evening for the visitors. If we had taken any one of the numerous chances that came our way things could have been different.

DUNFERMLINE: Ian Westwater, Greg Shields, Colin Miller, Andy Tod, Dave Barnett, Steve Welsh, George Shaw, Sergio Duarte, Andy Smith, Hamish French, Gerry Britton (Allan Moore)
Subs not used Curran, M Millar
Scorers: Smith
Yellow Card: A Smith
Attendance 14493
League position 6th
Next match v Celtic (home) Saturday 1st November - all ticket