Josh Falkingham’s magnificent goal midway through the second half extinguished any hopes Arbroath had of taking anything from this game, although the former Lichties favourite refused to be over-exuberant with his celebrations.
The Pars captain, who was part of Arbroath’s Third Division title-winning team three years ago, was delighted to help the Fifers extend their unbeaten run to eight games, but admitted he still holds his former emloyers in high regard.
He said: “I was just showing a bit of respect towards my previous club. I’ve got a lot of good friends here, but my main target today was to win the game for my current club, and that’s Dunfermline.
“I was delighted with the goal and with the three points going into the Christmas period. I thought we were outstanding. Everybody did really well and that’s how it has been in recent weeks. The workrate everyone is putting in is amazing. The confidence is sky high and we just want to keep it going.”
The visitors made a strong start and had a penalty claim denied as early as the second minute when Ryan Williamson appeared to be tripped as he cut in towards goal.
The Dunfermline full-back, who was to prove a menace to the Arbroath defence all afternoon with his surging runs down the right side, was frustrated that referee David Somers waved aside his appeal.
The opener was delayed only until the 12th minute, however, Andy Geggan blasting the ball into the roof of the net after the Lichties defence failed to clear a corner.
Worse was to come for the Gayfield men in the 35th minute when Ryan Wallace clipped a ball towards the far post and Ryan Thomson nodded beyond the stranded Scott Morrison in the Arbroath goal.
The Lichties looked much brighter at the start of the second period and Dunfermline keeper Ryan Scully had to be alert to beat away a powerful Bobby Linn shot, while shortly afterwards Bradley Donaldson came close with a glancing header.
Hopes of a home revival were deflated in the 65th minute, however, when Falkingham, positioned on the far right-hand corner of the penalty box, unleashed a ferocious volley which flew into the diagonal opposite side of the goal, giving Morrison no chance.
Arbroath, now without a win in eight games, continued to battle courageously but the visitors always looked dangerous when they broke forward, although there was to be no further scoring.
Lichties player-manager Paul Sheerin said: “Dunfermline started really well and by the time we got to grips with their shape we were a goal behind.
“I thought we responded OK to the goal, but then we lost a really terrible second goal at a bad stage of the game. We kept going and kept trying, but there’s no doubt we were beaten by a team with a bit more quality.”