Dunfermline 0 Queens Park 1

cinch Championship play-off semi-final, 2nd leg: Martin in for Edwards. Simon Murray (89) 0-1

Dunfermline Athletic were relegated to Scottish League One as a consequence of losing the semi final play off with Queens Park. Relegation was sealed with this 1-0 home defeat but the outcome was due to a thoroughly disappointing season.

It was winner take all at East End Park in this the second leg of the cinch Championship semi final play offs with Queens Park standing between the Pars and a final against either Airdrieonians or Montrose.

Manager John Hughes made just one change from his first leg selection, Lewis Martin making his first start since 5th February in coming in for the absent Josh Edwards. Queens Park brought in Jai Quitongo and Luca Connell, so Darren Lyon and Louis Longridge found themselves on the bench beside another former Dunfermline player, Stuart Morrison.

The visitors kick off attacking the goal in front of the McCathie Stand and it was there in the third minute that Jakub Stolarczyk had to pull off the first save. Bob McHugh took the ball to the left side of the Pars box and his pass found Connell in front of goal but the young Polish keeper pulled off a crucial save with his outstretched right hand.

An eighth minute challenge on Connor Smith by Ryan Dow resulted in a Queens free kick and two corners from the right followed from that but neither created a chance for the Spiders.

Dunfermline pushed forward with Dorrans, Todd, Lawless and Dow all trying to penetrate the visitors defence to no avail before in 22 minutes Efe Ambrose had to cut out a dangerous ball into the six yard box from Quitongo. Then a Connell free kick from midway into the Dunfermline box picked out Charlie Fox and Stolarczyk had to save the header.

First real Dunfermline chance came in 25 minutes when Dow from the right side of the box drilled the ball narrowly wide left. Pressure continued with Dow setting up Lawless but Tommy Robson blocked his shot and very quickly thereafter Dow crashed another shot from outside the box over the bar.

The home side got a break when Fox failed to usher the ball out on the right but O’Hara smashed the resultant chance over the bar. Then on the half hour Todd knocked the ball down in front of goal for Lawless to shoot but he too sent the effort over the bar.

A swift flowing move saw the ball move up the park from Dorrans to Polworth, Todd and back to Polworth whose shot from the right side of the box was deflected away for a corner on the left. The 35th minute corner was sent over by Dorrans and Ambrose was really unfortunate to see his shot from close in kept out on the line by the keeper’s right foot. The assault ended with Dow chipping an attempt narrowly over the crossbar.

Next Polworth has an effort blocked and Dorrans found himself with an opportunity from the edge of box but his shot slid wide left. A poor clearance from Ferrie led to a 41st minute Pars corner. Lawless took it short to O’Hara and when returned he picked out Ambrose at the far post but his header was kept out.

60% Pars possession in the first half with the stats showing 14 shots to Queen’s Park’s two.

Half time: Dunfermline 0 Queen’s Park 0

Bright sunshine greeted the second half and there was an early corner with Martin and Dow combining on the left and Dow’s shot after 40 seconds earning a corner on the right. Unfortunately advantage could not be taken from that but the play continued well into the opposition half.

In 55 minutes Simon Murray was the first sub of the match, within three he was taken down by Ambrose and referee Craig Napier showed red to the Nigerian internationalist. Connell drove the subsequent free kick into the defensive wall.

Dunfermline reacted with a double substitution in 63 minutes with Dan Pybus and Aaron Comrie thrown on in place of Joe Chalmers and Ryan Dow.

The home side then has a good chance from a free kick 20 yards out in line with the right edge of the Queens box. Lawless delivered an inviting ball that was met by Coll Donaldson but his header cleared the bar. In 77 minutes Lawless played another free kick into the Queen’s box, Donaldson met it again and again Ferrie held.

Three minutes later a rare opportunity for the Glasgow side came from a Smith cross and Murray’s header dropped just wide of the right goalpost. Five minutes from full time a counterattack saw Murray travel down the left and tee up Fox on the edge of the box. He had time to compose himself but fired over the bar.

The warning had been registered but in 89th minute Queens Park scored when McHugh cut back for MURRAY in front of goal to finish. 0-1. That turned out to be the fatal blow for the ten man Fifers.

Five added minutes and the introduction of Lewis McCann and Bobby Kamwa saw a big push. O`Hara had a great chance that he could not convert but there was to be no way back. League One football for Dunfermline Athletic next season.

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