Hibernian 1 Dunfermline Athletic 2

Last updated : 21 December 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Dunfermline won the points and extended their unbeaten run to six games following a first-half brace from Craig Brewster at a cold Easter Road.

It took the Pars only 41 seconds to score against a clearly jittery home defence.

A poor back header from Colin Murdock conceded a corner and the resulting cross found Scott Wilson, whose header was saved only to fall at the feet of Brewster, who bundled it home.

Hibs almost equalised five minutes later but Steven Whittaker's cross-cum-shot was well held by a back peddling Derek Stillie on the line.

Murdock was having a nightmare at the back for Hibs and a couple of mistakes by him almost let Dunfermline score again.

A long ball was mis-hit twice by Murdock and fell kindly for Steve Crawford, who could only blast over from 12 yards.

After 28 minutes Crawford had yet another chance to extend the Pars' lead, again from a Murdock mistake, but Daniel Andersson was easily able to gather the ball.

The goal of the game was still to come though, Brewster's second and ultimately the Dunfermline winner. The ball came to Brewster 25 yards out and he curled his shot in off the left hand post, leaving the keeper with no chance.

Hibs showed far more spirit in the second half but Dunfermline weren't willing to make any mistakes and for most of the half looked safe.

However after a number of Hibs penalty claims, some more legitimate than others, they got a goal back.

Midway through the half a Kevin Thomson cross found Derek Riordan at the back post and he took a touch before drilling it past the keeper, but it wasn't the catalyst Hibs were looking for and Dunfermline held on to the points.