THIS was a textbook top versus bottom league clash.

Where Dunfermline looked settled, strong and sharp there was a general malaise about the Jags.

They lacked conviction going forward, passes too often went awry, and shots on goal were few and far between.

But that's not to take away from Jim McIntyre's men earning another three hard-earned points thanks to goals from Pat Clarke and Andy Kirk.

The gaffer told Press sport that despite a poor Partick performance he still considers Firhill as one of the hardest place to come - though how he compares it to Ibrox after the midweek 7-2 defeat to Rangers must be another thing entirely.

"There's never much between the teams, certainly in my time in charge, so I'm delighted to come to a difficult place today and take the points," he said.

"Midweek was a totally different game. There was no way the players' confidence was going to be affected because we knew then we were up against a right good side. We made some mistakes, end of story.

"Today was about getting back to basics and defending well. I thought we did that. I thought the back four were excellent and the team was excellent in general." In the 29th minute the impressive Gary Mason beat Jackie McNamara to the ball before sending Clarke through.

He belted it from 25 yards straight into the top corner to put the Pars ahead.

Steven McDougall replaced Pat Clarke in the 70th minute and made an immediate impact.

Joe Cardle won the ball brilliantly in midfield before setting Higgins down the left. He rifled it against the post leaving Kirk to redeem himself of earlier misses by knocking it into an empty net.

McIntyre said of McDougall, "He certainly gave us a huge lift by being very positive, busy and energetic. That's exactly what you want from your substitutes.

"The first goal is vital and it was a fantastic strike from Pat Clarke. He has some power in his shot for someone who is quite slight. It was a hell of a finish."