Dunfermline finally experienced the taste of victory on Friday night against Partick Thistle following a worrying nine-game sequence without a win.
A first success in almost three months came courtesy of a stirring comeback in the wake of Brian Graham’s 30th-minute opener for the Jags.
Malachi Fagan-Walcott scored for the second game running to restore parity before the break.
And the Pars eventually eased to a welcome three points that lifted them into seventh in the table – upgraded to sixth with Airdrie’s defeat on Saturday – with second-half strikes from Matty Todd and Xavier Benjamin.
Belief restored?
Dunfermline had understandably looked low on confidence in recent weeks as their dire run of results showed little sign of ending.
Manager James McPake confessed after the game that he had feared the worst when Graham headed Thistle in front.
With the hosts on form and at home, it could have been another trying 90 minutes for the Pars after going behind.
But they rallied impressively and levelled with a Fagan-Walcott tap-in when Partick goalkeeper Ross Stewart pushed out a Josh Edwards drive uncertainly.
Todd’s second was sublime as he clipped in a wonderful finish after beating the offside trap to race onto Edwards’ long ball.
All of a sudden, the belief seemed to course through the East End Park outfit.
Passes hit their target, moves were built and chances created.
Benjamin’s header gave Dunfermline the kind of two-goal cushion they have rarely enjoyed in a difficult season.
The hope will be that the victory gives the squad a pick-me-up that ensures they build on the triumph.
A slice of luck
The home fans were irate at full-time at Firhill.
Upset with both linesmen and referee David Munro, they blamed the officials for the loss.
Graham was adamant he should have had a hat-trick, but was denied by two offside flags.
The first, against Jack McMillan, who then crossed for his striking team-mate, appeared borderline.
For the second, ruled out following a discussion between Munro and his stand-side assistant, Graham was definitely onside.
It would have hauled the Jags back level at 2-2.
That the Thistle supporters, mistakenly, also thought Todd had strayed offside on his way to netting Dunfermline’s second goal only infuriated them further.
But, given the misfortune the Pars have suffered this season with injuries and within some games, surely they were due a slice of luck?
And who’s to say the Fifers would not have bounced back for a second time anyway given the way they came from behind in the first-half?
Reconnecting with the fans
Times have been hard for the Dunfermline support.
A 5-0 hammering at home from Morton was followed quickly by a 3-0 trouncing from Queen’s Park.
With another Fife derby defeat to rivals Raith Rovers in amongst a dismal run stretching all the way back to December 9, there was little reason for optimism.
The boos that have greeted recent performances have betrayed the growing swell of annoyance within the support.
Some had lost patience with boss McPake.
However, the Pars board have stayed firm, able to see just how tough things have been for the manager amidst an unprecedented injury list and some recruitment disappointments.
They were rewarded with Friday night’s improving display and with the result. It will hopefully allow the Fifers to now play unburdened of the worries over from where the elusive win will come.
That Fagan-Walcott and Benjamin both scored at Firhill was also a moment to savour for both, but particularly the latter, after they were prematurely written off by some following the horror show of the Morton embarrassment.
The way Benjamin celebrated wildly in front of the hardy travelling supporters was an indication of what his goal meant on a personal level.
And the connection between the players and the fans at the full-time whistle as both shared in the relief of victory hinted at a relationship hopefully on the mend.
Absentees returning will only make Pars stronger
The news Aaron Comrie looks set to miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury is undoubtedly a huge blow for Dunfermline.
They will be optimistic new loan signing Miles Welch-Hayes from Livingston can plug that gap, although Benjamin grew into an unfamiliar role on Friday night as time went on.
But the impact of the returning Matty Todd and Alex Jakubiak was significant.
Todd more so, since his magnificent second-half strike put the Pars 2-1 in front and sent the visitors on their way to a badly-needed win.
Beyond his goal, the midfielder – who also struck the post with a header – added a boundless energy that has been missing in his absence.
The 22-year-old has been able to start just four league matches this season due to his injury problems; the latest a hamstring issue that has sidelined him for two months.
But with three goals in his last four outings, he is now incredibly joint-third top scorer for the Fifers in the Championship.
He has been sorely missed, for that goal threat and for his ability to cover the ground in both attack and defence.
Others to return soon?
Although Jakubiak has struggled in front of goal since joining Dunfermline in September, he also showed what the team had been missing in his cameo against Thistle.
All pace and bustling intent, the former Dundee striker added some experience and knowhow in the closing stages to help see the victory through.
And he was a whisker away from a fourth for Dunfermline with a late shot that was deflected just wide.
With others understood to be not too far behind Todd and Jakubiak in their bid for a return to fitness, McPake’s options could be notably strengthened at just the right time in the coming weeks.
