Any lingering promotion hope Dunfermline harboured was killed off by defeat at the hands of Ross County although a crowd of only 2641 suggested many Pars fans had already decided there would be no meaningful finale to the campaign.
It was always going to be a massive task for the Fifers to win the title after the season was preceded by yet another cull of experienced players Paul Gallacher, Scott Wilson, Greg Shields all departing leaving Jim McIntyre needing to piece a team together on a reduced budget.
For supporters who, not so long ago, were enjoying SPL football, trips to the latter stages of cup competitions and a brief flirtation with Europe it’s hard to take lacking the consistency required to mount any kind of challenge for the first division championship or handle losing three out of the next four games after the chance to mount a late push presented itself.
That was evident at times on Saturday as disappointment and anger got the better of some of those who had made the effort to turn up.
Pars defencer Andy Dowie admitted he had no quibble with the reaction of the fans.
“I can understand entirely how they feel,” he said. “The same frustration is there in the dressing room.Terrible”We got booed off at half-time and totally deserved it. It was a terrible performance, especially in the first half, and after doing so well in beating Dundee on Tuesday night.
“It’s like there are two teams here and no-one knows which one is going to turn up we’ve been so inconsistent, and I can’t fathom why.
“Having got ourselves into a good position a few weeks back we went and lost to Partick and Queen of the South, which dented our chances.
“Beating Dundee improved the situation slightly, but now the challenge is over and we’ve got to look to next season and finding that consistency.
“Looking back I think a big problem for us has been not being able to scrap our way to victories.
“I don’t think we’ve won many games without playing well. Other teams have beaten us sneaking the result.
“That’s something we need to learn to do.”
Grim-faced McIntyre couldn’t disguise his frustration over his side’s up and down season and poor showing against County.
“Jekyll and Hyde comes to mind,” he reflected.Miles off”Tuesday night we were fantastic today we were miles off it.
“We played as three separate units, not a team.
“We rallied a bit after half-time, but without having any real authority. We were very lacklustre.
“Lack of consistency has blighted us all season. We put together a great run of five wins and a draw then we lose two, win one now lose this one.
“That’s three points from the last four games, and that won’t do at this stage in a championship race.”
The Staggies opened the scoring on 14 minutes with a well taken goal.
A cross from Gary Miller was pulled down beyond the far post by Iain Vigurs who steadied before slotting the ball into the far corner.
They went two up with 35 minutes gone as a Martin Scott through-ball pierced the centre of Dunfermline’s defence leaving Andy Barrowman with only Chris Smith to beat. Barrowman drew Smith and calmly tucked away his finish.
Dunfermline should have hauled themselves back into the game early in the second period when Calum Woods’ deep cross found Joe Cardle unmarked but his first touch was heavy and the chance disappeared.Killer touchThere was no shortage of effort from the Pars as they sought to retrieve the situation, but they lacked a killer touch.
Midfielder Gary Mason’s flighted delivery promised to open County up only for Willie Gibson and Steven Bell to collide with one another as they sought to latch on to the ball then laughingly claim for a penalty.
Steven McDougall got a clear sight of goal, but shot straight at McGovern before, with 13 minutes left, the Pars pulled one back as Bell nodded in McDougall’s measured cross.
Graham was denied right at the death by a fantastic last ditch challenge from Scott Boyd, and with that any prospect of taking a point from the match had gone.
Over the piece County who remain 11 points off top spot, but with three games in hand were worth their win.
“The first half was one of our best, most accomplished performances away from home all season,” said boss Derek Adams.