First Division: Martin Hardie heads Dunfermline to top of table with late winner

Published on Tuesday 29 March 2011 21:50

Dunfermline Athletic went top of the table last night, overtaking Raith Rovers, as they beat Ross County 1-0 at Victoria Park with an injury-time goal from Martin Hardie.

In what was the third meeting between the sides in just five weeks, the Fifers finished the first half strongly and Liam Buchanan was unlucky to have his effort blocked at the near post after excellent build-up from Joe Cardle and Hardie.

The second half followed much the same pattern but the Pars were beginning to show nerves which County almost took advantage of on 63 minutes as Paul Lawson's cross was sent inches wide by Martin Gardyne.

The game opened up in the final 20 minutes as cracks finally appeared in both defences. Buchanan released David Graham after slack play in the County midfield but Michael McGovern was quick off his line. At the other end, Chris Smith had to be alert to deny Gardyne.

Andy Barrowman nearly stole the show on 88 minutes but Smith did well to save. This enabled the Pars to grab the dramatic winner in stoppage time as Cardle's free-kick found the head of Hardie, who beat McGovern from close range.

Queen of the South made it two wins in a row over Stirling Albion as they kept their hopes of a top-three finish alive with a 2-0 victory.

The Doonhamers wasted no time in picking up where they left off and opened the scoring after four minutes. Colin McMenamin's run down the left flank found youngster Daniel Orsi, who nutmegged Scott Christie for his first senior goal.

Stirling tried to hit back but, three minutes into first-half stoppage time, Queens doubled their lead. Scott Christie failed to hold a Paul Burns shot and David Lilley scored from six yards, netting what was his first goal of the season.

Falkirk missed the chance to close the gap on Dunfermline and Raith Rovers at the top as they could only draw 0-0 with Cowdenbeath at Central Park.

In a poor first half, it was the home side who created the first chance with Greg Stewart's long-range drive producing a decent stop from Robert Olejnik.

Falkirk pressed for a goal before the interval but Mark Millar and Mark Stewart were off target. Six minutes into the second half, Cowdenbeath goalkeeper David Hay was forced into parrying away a Tam McManus effort as the away side tried to break the deadlock.In the last ten minutes, chances came for both sides with Ryan Flynn firing over for the Bairns and substitute Archie Campbell almost heading home what would have been a shock winner for Cowdenbeath.