Preview Arbroath

SPFL League One: Arbroath are fighting for their lives since they currently occupy the automatic relegation spot and lie three points behind ninth placed Airdrieonians

The Pars first home league match of the 2013-14 season was against Arbroath.  It was the first time the sides had met on league business since season 85-86 but the Angus club registered their first win at East End Park since December 1984.  In the interim Arbroath had three times come to Halbeath Road on cup business but the Pars had successfully negotiated League Cup and Challenge Cup ties against them.

This time Arbroath are fighting for their lives since they currently occupy the automatic relegation spot and lie three points behind ninth placed Airdrieonians, Jim Jefferies knows to expect a tough game and Pars fans can be wary since the record against teams in tenth place is not great with Forfar, Airdrieonians and East Fife all wining from that position.

Previously

This will be the 71st league meeting; the Pars have won 30 to Arbroath`s 23, 17 have been drawn.  Of the last twelve meetings, Dunfermline have won nine and lost only two.

Last Meeting at East End Park

The first home match of League One did not work out the way most thought it would. As what has been habitual the Pars went behind to a Steven Milne goal after only seven minutes. Callum Morris headed the Pars equaliser from a Ross Millen corner and there were several chances to take the lead that was eventually established by Shaun Byrne in 41 minutes.

Many thought the Pars would turn around at the break with a 2-1 lead but Arbroath`s Alan Cook put paid to that. Chris Kane was yellow carded as Dunfermline conceded a 43rd minute penalty and Cook stuck the spot kick away to put the Red Lichties back on level terms. 

That would have been certain to have had Jim Jefferies raging for his half time team talk but he was to be further heated when Cook grabbed his second of the game right on the stroke of half time. The goalscorer cropped up on the left to beat off the challenge of his marker and net off the far post.  Try as they did in the second, there was no way past Scott Morrison in the visitors goal and Dunfermline slumped to their first League One defeat of the campaign.

Last Meeting at Gayfield Park

Dunfermline were always the most likely to win this encounter after Ryan Wallace sent over a low ball from a corner on the left that caused mayhem at the near post. The ball was not properly cleared and brushing off the challenge of Banjo, Andy Geggan was able to bulge the net with a great strike. 0-1

Then in 36 minutes the Pars doubled their lead. Possession was won in their own half before the Pars broke at speed. Thomson received and then sent the ball right where Falkingham fed Wallace and his shot from the edge of the Arbroath box was blocked but when the rebound sat up for him he chipped it to the far post where Ryan Thomson headed home the second.

In 64 minutes Josh Falkingham struck a fabulous goal from 15 yards after Alex Whittle`s squared ball somewhat surprisingly travelled through several players` feet to the former Arbroath player.

Arbroath may only have won one of their last 17 matches but since they lost to the Pars in December they have not lost by more than one goal in any of the eight games.  The Red Lichties have won only one away game this season - at East End Park in August.

Last Time Out

DUNFERMLINE (v Ayr United): Ryan Scully; Ross Millen, Callum Morris, Jonathan Page, Danny Grainger; Josh Falkingham, Stephen Husband (Shaun Byrne 84), Ross Forbes (Alex Whittle 84), Andy Geggan (c); Lawrence Shankland, Faissal El Bakhtaoui (Ryan Wallace 79).
SUBS NOT USED: Jordan Moore, Lewis Martin, Ryan Williamson, Ryan Goodfellow (GK)

ARBROATH (v Forfar Athletic): Sandy Wood, Michael Travis, Alex Keddie, Ricky Little, Colin Hamilton (Alan Cook 62), Paul Sheerin (Kenny Deuchar 61), Bobby Linn , Ross Chisholm, Kevin Nicoll, Paul McManus, Leighton McIntosh.
SUBS NOT USED: Chris Scott, Lenny Wilson, Lari Yao, Dayle Robertson, David Banjo

Referee will be Andrew Dallas.