Dunfermline surged eight points clear at the top of the table after Peterhead beat Ayr United.
Pars skipper Andy Geggan bagged a brace to double his season’s tally, but felt he should have had more.
He said: “It was important we bounced back after losing to Airdrie last week, and that has been the aim during training all week.”
Stenny had an emergency loan from Celtic youngster Colin McCabe was between the sticks after he signed the previous day. How the 19-year-old managed to dive full length and turn Geggan’s blistering free-kick over the bar in the 29th minute only he can know.
“The win stretches our lead at the top, and fair play to Peterhead who are catching up, but we have Ayr at home on Saturday and after they beat us 2 0 at home last time, that will be at the back of our heads,” said Geggan.
The Warriors had defended well and broke when they could, but the difference in class was obvious, and tangible evidence was provided four minutes from the break.
The visitors broke from deep and Faissal El Bahktaoui cut in from the left before firing low inside McCabe’s right post from the edge of the box for his 20th goal of the season.
The Pars virtually put the game to bed in the 52nd minute. McCabe superbly turned Geggan’s thunderbolt behind, but the keeper had no chance when Geggan headed home Joe Cardle’s resultant corner.
Geggan notched his second and his side’s third 11 minutes before the end of a one-sided contest, and Dunfermline boss Alan Johnston was delighted.
“It was a good performance and I am delighted to have won the game with good passing, good goals and excellent individual displays,” he said.