YESTERDAY was derby day right across the country and with Dunfermline claiming the Kingdom's crown in dramatic late fashion this Fife version reigned supreme amongst the nation's enmity. Kirkcaldy crackled with the ferocity of football rivalries spa
nning three centuries as the
teams emerged into the frenzy like gladiators into a coliseum of hostility, chests puffed with pride and with expectations rising over who would emerge with their reputations intact.
But it was the Pars who shaded it as Graham Bayne cancelled out Mark Campbell's first-half opener and, in second-half injury-time, Craig Wilson's own goal – with David Graham also claiming responsibility – earned the visitors the win.
Dunfermline began with more vigour, with Graham and Andy Kirk shooting wide within the first four minutes and Willie Gibson and Kirk testing home keeper David McGurn. However, the tide turned midway through the half. Ryan Wallace's cross was touched goalwards by Johnny Russell only to be repelled by Greg Fleming. From the corner Laurie Ellis lofted the clearance back into the box and Rovers skipper Campbell looped his header over Fleming.
Kirk headed over and Bayne should have scored seconds short of the interval before the Pars finally got the goal their play deserved three minutes after the break. Gibson speared a great cross in from the right and Bayne powered his header in and the action was repeated as time slipped away when Gibson's cross was bundled in by the combined efforts of Graham and Wilson.
