Five things we learned from Dunfermline's victory over Raith Rovers

Here are five key points that helped the Pars to a 2-0 win over Raith on Friday night. 

Get the ref to send off one of their players

There was never any danger of Dunfermline losing this match once Ewan Murray saw red. The only question was could Raith hold out for a draw. They couldn't and now James McPake's side should build on the win and target the top four. Last season, after a promising start, the wheels fell off when the Pars lost the first two Championship meetings with Raith and they ended up flirting with relegation. Now, after a first league win of the campaign, the first in the derby for two years and one that lifts them off the bottom of the table, optimism has returned and they'll hope it's upwards and onwards.

Ewan Murray's foul on Chris Kane saw the Raith man sent off in the 16th minute. (Image: Craig Brown) Kane not able to do it all

For all that he's an excellent frontman and doesn't give defenders a second of peace, Chris Kane has never been a prolific scorer, with 62 goals from more than 300 appearances to date. And his return so far of five from 16 games for the Pars places greater emphasis on sharing the load. Last season only the relegated pair of Arbroath and Inverness scored fewer goals than Dunfermline's tally of 43 from 36 league matches. The first three league games of this season ended in three defeats and no goals scored. Luckily Ewan Otoo has found his shooting boots, two from two in the league, David Wotherspoon can finish and Lewis McCann is so much better than last term's tally of seven. Josh Cooper and a fully fit pair of Matty Todd and Kane Ritchie-Hosler should hit the net more too. The search for more goals is why they're also looking at former Rangers striker Dapo Mebude.

Chris Kane nodded this chance wide of the target. (Image: Craig Brown) Keep putting in a shift

Praise for footballers who 'put the effort in' has always grated a little. Working hard is the least you should expect from a professional player. Every fan would try their hardest for the team they love - the difference is they're not good enough to get on the pitch! So for those that are chosen and paid to represent a club and a fanbase like Dunfermline, putting in a shift is a prerequisite. The good thing about watching the Pars is that every player tries, they don't always play well but you can never accuse them of a lack of effort. What they have done in the last two league games, against Ayr and Raith, is raise the intensity, press other teams harder and higher up the pitch, force mistakes and make it harder for their opponents to play. It's working.

Aaron Comrie tries to race up the line against Raith on Friday night. (Image: Craig Brown) Go fourth and go long

James McPake showed real confidence in Sam Young, 18, and 20-year-old Tommy Fogarty, pairing them together in the centre of defence for such a huge match. And he was repaid with an excellent display as they didn't give Raith a sniff. They also looked more comfortable in a back four. In the last two league games Dunfermline have been solid in defence and no nonsense, booting the ball out of play when in trouble and they've largely stopped playing out from the back. While it's in vogue among the purists, if you get it right you can create real danger for the other team. With the Pars it seemed they had to work so hard and risk so much just to get to the half-way line. And if it goes wrong you've invariably coughed up possession to an opposition striker right in front of your goal. For now it suits the Pars to go direct with goalie Tobi Oluwayemi thumping the ball deep into enemy territory, getting the opposition defence turned and challenging for the first and second ball.

Teenage centre back Sam Young put in a superb performance for Dunfermline. (Image: Craig Brown) Play the Spoons

He's had a slow start to life at Dunfermline but David Wotherspoon showed he still has the class and talent to make the difference. After dropping him from the starting line-up, McPake showed faith to start the 34-year-old midfielder against Raith and the player, who admitted he had a "point to prove", rewarded him with an assist and a brilliant goal. Technically, Wotherspoon is probably the best player at the club. Let's hope he can now show it on a consistent basis.

David Wotherspoon curled home a brilliant first goal for the Pars, wrapping up the 2-0 win. (Image: Craig Brown)