Arbroath 1-0 PARS

DUNFERMLINE'S relegation fears have deepened after defeat at Arbroath this afternoon sent them bottom of the Championship.

David Gold's ninth minute goal, moments after Ryan Dow and Graham Dorrans both had big chances blocked, separated the sides and earned the table-topping Lichties a fourth win from four against the Pars this term.

Steven Lawless struck the outside of the post in a first half where, despite losing the goal, the visitors arguably had the best opportunities, while Steven Lawless struck the bar in second half stoppage time.

However, despite enjoying plenty of possession, Dunfermline didn't do enough to penetrate the home defence, who were, largely, comfortable throughout, with goalkeeper Derek Gaston rarely called into action.

Athletic needed to play at a quicker pace to breach the leaders, but their failure to do so saw them fail to respond to Gold's goal and slump to the foot of the table.

With Queen of the South defeating Morton, and Ayr United hammering Raith Rovers at Stark's Park, John Hughes' team are now two points adrift of the Doonhamers, and seven behind both Hamilton, who are eighth and who host the Pars next Saturday, and Morton.

In terms of results, the day couldn't have gone any worse for the visitors, who now face huge pressure in their remaining nine games if they are to pull themselves out of the dire situation they find themselves in.

Hughes made two changes to the team that started last weekend's stalemate with Kilmarnock.

Unsurprisingly, Aaron Comrie was restored at right back in place of Matty Todd, who dropped to the bench, whilst Kevin O'Hara - who scored both Athletic's goals in their 4-2 defeat at Gayfield in October, which proved to be Peter Grant's final game in charge - replaced McCann up front.

New signing, Liam Polworth, was named on the bench, as was newly arrived goalkeeping coach, Neil Alexander, who has also registered as a player to cover injuries.

For the Lichties, on-loan Dunfermline forward, Craig Wighton, was ineligible so he missed out, being replaced by Gold.

Even though they had lost all three previous matches against Arbroath this season, the Pars - backed by a fine, vocal travelling support - made a bright start in the Angus sunshine and should have been in front after just six minutes.

Lawless clipped a lovely ball in from the right for Ryan Dow, who saw his shot blocked by Derek Gaston, while Dorrans also saw his route to goal shut-out from the follow-up.

And they would rue those missed opportunities as, three minutes later, Arbroath took the lead from their first meaningful attack.

Colin Hamilton's throw in was flicked on by Michael McKenna to Jack Hamilton, who sent a low ball across the box that Gold finished calmly from around 12 yards.

That goal was a hammer blow for the visitors, who actually created the best opportunities outwith that in the opening 45 minutes.

Dow had an effort comfortably saved by Gaston; Lawless ran through and struck the outside of the post from the edge of the box; and O'Hara was unlucky with a volley just wide from a fine Dow centre.

That being said, the opening period was largely scrappy, with neither team able to play to real rhythm, and Dunfermline struggled to stretch their opponents' rearguard.

Whilst they kept possession well and times, their neat and tidy play would all-too-often be in front of the Lichties, inside their own half or around halfway, and wasn't being played at a quick enough tempo to cause the hosts real concern.

Much like the first half, the first quarter of an hour again saw Dunfermline keep the ball patiently, trying to work an opening, but failing to do so.

Opportunities they have had had to shoot from range weren't taken up and, although Lawless almost found O'Hara, only for some excellent home defending to sense the danger and cut it out, it was Arbroath who came closest to a second.

Ricky Little headed over from a McKenna free-kick, while Colin Hamilton saw a shot deflected wide after a clearance fell to him at the edge of the area.

In the 63rd minute, Dom Thomas was introduced for Comrie in a bid to inject some life into the visitors, but Scott Stewart caused slight concern with a speculative effort that flashed wide of Jakub Stolarczyk's post.

Thomas offered positivity but Dunfermline continued to struggle to breach a well-drilled Arbroath defence, with a Josh Edwards cross from the left ending up out of play behind the goal almost summing their afternoon up.

With seven minutes to go, Hughes rolled the dice and made FOUR substitutions, sending on Lewis Martin, Rhys Breen, Polworth and McCann for Efe Ambrose, Pybus, Dow and Dorrans, but they failed to find the breakthrough needed.

They did come close in stoppage time, when McCann cut in on his right foot on the left and crossed for Lawless, whose header crashed off the bar, but Arbroath held out and sent Dunfermline bottom of the league.

Meanwhile, in League Two, Kelty Hearts remain 11 points clear at the top in their bid for a second successive promotion after a 1-0 win at Cowdenbeath.

Joe Cardle struck the decisive goal for Kevin Thomson's men in the derby at Central Park, and they could go 14 points clear of Annan Athletic on Tuesday if they win at Stenhousemuir.

Match stats

Arbroath: Gaston, Stewart, Colin Hamilton, Little, O'Brien, Henderson (Hilson 75), Chris Hamilton, Gold (Craigen 69), McKenna, Jack Hamilton (Donnelly 83), Linn (Thomson 45).

Subs not used: Low, Ford, Bakare, Antell.

Goal: Gold (9).

Booked: O'Brien (71), McKenna (87).

Pars: Stolarczyk, Comrie (Thomas 63), Donaldson, Ambrose (Breen 83), Edwards, Pybus (Polworth 83), Chalmers, Dow (Martin 83), Dorrans (McCann 83), Lawless, O'Hara.

Subs not used: Todorov, Allan, Todd, Alexander.

Booked: Pybus (29).

Referee: Chris Graham.

Attendance: 2,141.