Pars 3 Livingston 0

CHRIS KANE and returning captain Kyle Benedictus were Dunfermline's goal heroes as they romped to a much-needed Championship victory over Livingston.

The Pars number nine's brace, either side of the centre back's header, gave James McPake's men a deserved first league win in six outings.

In addition to being their second of the campaign, it was also their biggest winning margin in a league game since they defeated Arbroath by the same scoreline in late November 2023.

Although Athletic stay second bottom of the table, after Raith Rovers defeated Airdrieonians, they widened the gap on the latter to four points, and moved to within one of Greenock Morton, who dropped to eighth after a home loss to Queen's Park.

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"I think what must be said is it's three points," McPake.

"First and foremost, it's what we needed above all else, but I thought the performance was a continuation, if I'm honest, of what's been.

"I've not been coming out here every week and saying after defeat, after defeat, but saying that the performance levels were good, or certain draws. I thought we were the very same against Morton out there, but tonight we got the goals. That's the important thing."

McPake reacted to Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Falkirk by making four changes to his starting line-up.

Dapo Mebude was handed his first league start for the club, whilst captain Benedictus returned to the heart of the defence for his first appearance since late August after injury.

Kane, who missed Saturday's match after failing a late fitness test, was restored to the attack, whilst David Wotherspoon made his first start since last month's defeat to Queen's Park.

Ewan Otoo, Kane Ritchie-Hosler, Matty Todd and Craig Wighton all dropped to the bench for the Pars, who were seeking only their second win of the Championship season.

The Lions, unbeaten in the league ahead of kick-off, were looking to move within a point of the summit, but it was the hosts who would strike first.

The impressive Mebude had sent an early effort wide, whilst Liam Sole had fired over the visitors, when Kane broke the deadlock in the seventh minute.

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Kieran Ngwenya's clearing header sent the Pars number scampering in behind Livi's rearguard, evading their attempts to catch him offside in the process.

Although his first attempt was blocked by Jerome Prior, Kane was first to latch on to the loose ball to slot beyond the helpless goalkeeper.

It was the perfect start for McPake's team and, as the half wore on, the confidence and belief within them visibly grew as they dominated the opening 45 minutes.

Chris Hamilton hit the side net from Lewis McCann's low ball across the six yard box, and Mebude saw an attempt saved, as they took the game to their opponents.

There was a moment of concern when Stevie May was sent away down the left, and fired a fine ball across goal, but Sole was unable to get on the end of it, but Pars came even closer moments later.

Mebude was again involved, with his cross ball cleared out to the edge of the box, where Craig Clay met it and fired the ball back at goal, striking the post.

It was a fine first half but, although they had to weather a period of early pressure after the restart, there was a hotly disputed moment in the 54th minute.

Prior made a hash of trying to clear a pass back to him, and the ever-alert Kane nipped in front of him, before being chopped down by the Livi keeper.

Referee, Dan McFarlane, awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box, but the Athletic players were incensed, and felt it was inside the area and a penalty.

From the corner, Ngwenya's shot from Wotherspoon's short pass was deflected behind - despite the ref getting in the way - and, from the next set piece, Dunfermline doubled their tally.

Wotherspoon's delivery was met at the far post by Benedictus who, despite attempts to clear, headed down and into the back of the net.

That have the Pars breathing space and, as the clock ticked into the final 20 minutes, they wrapped up the points.

It was as simple as you like, as Wotherspoon again provided the amunition from a corner, allowing Kane to gleefully head home from close range and wrap up a superb night for the home side.

McPake added: "The performances have been good. We shot ourselves in the foot on Saturday, albeit the performance, and people will tell me it wasn't, but I've watched the game back often enough, and we were well in that game against the best team in the league on Saturday.

"Tonight, a team coming that are the only team undefeated in the league and, from the start, we were right in the game and got ourselves in front deservedly.

"There was no way we were giving it up tonight. We were on top, but look, it's one win. That's all it is."

Pars: Oluwayemi, Comrie, Young, Benedictus (Fogarty 82), Ngwenya, Hamilton (Otoo 75), Clay, Mebude (Todd 61), Wotherspoon, McCann (Cooper 82), Kane (Wighton 82).

Subs not used: Ritchie-Hosler, Chalmers, Sutherland.

Goals: Kane (7, 71), Benedictus (56).

Booked: McCann (59), Hamilton (66)

Livingston: Prior, Clarke, McGowan, Sole (Shinnie 57), Pittman, Kelly (Lawal 71), Brandon, May (Korboa 71), Finlayson (Winter 57), Nottingham, Muirhead (Smith 84).

Subs not used: Pitaluga, McAlear, Green, Stark.

Booked: May (28), Kelly (35), Sole (56).

Referee: Dan McFarlane.

Attendance: 4,810.