Pars' second-half strikes sink County revival

Published on Saturday 18 April 2009 20:05

Ross County 1 (Craig 47 ) Dunfermline Athletic 3 (Woods 35, Kirk 73, Bayne 77)

DUNFERMLINE scored a comfortable victory to provide a platform for their Scottish Cup semi-final with Falkirk and to ease worries at foot of the First Division.

A first half dominated by the Pars saw Callum Woods break the deadlock on 35 minutes, jabbing home from five yards following Austin McCann's corner.

County striker Steven Craig had been out-muscled through most of early spell, despite working into good positions, but Ross County emerged rejuvenated for the second-half, with Craig netting the leveller on 47 minutes.

Released through the left channel, he cut into the 18-yard box, bustling past two of Dunfermline's defenders before firing a shot from an acute angle to score his first goal for County since the beginning of February.

County upped their game after Craig's goal, with long-range efforts from Stuart Golabek and Sean Higgins, while Michael Gardyne lashed a half-volley into side netting.

It was Dunfermline, though, who struck with two quick goals scored against the run of play.

A well-worked effort saw Steven Bell provide the cutback for Andy Kirk to tap in from close range on 73 minutes.

Then on 77 minutes Austin McCann's high ball saw County goalkeeper Joe Malin flap on the edge of his box and it fell kindly for Graham Bayne to hook in.