DUNFERMLINE strolled to victory against 10-man Ross County, who are facing a long, hard season in their bid to stay in the division.
The Highlanders started brightly enough but found themselves a goal down after just five minutes.
Richard Hart was yellow carded for bringing down Kevin Harper and from the resulting free kick, Pars defender Scott Thomson sent the ball into the
top corner from all of 25 yards.
Dunfermline stretched their lead on the stroke of half time, Nicky Phinn slotting home a cross from Harper.
Chances for the visitors were few and far between, although Michael Gardyne was not far off the mark with his drive at goal in the 52nd minute.
Dunfermline striker Andy Kirk looked certain to put his name on the scoresheet when he pounced on a cutback from Phinn but his shot was blocked by keeper Tony Bullock.
County kept plugging away and were rewarded when Steven Craig won the ball in midfield, broke down the right and into the box before firing the ball past keeper Paul Gallacher.
What had been a straight-forward day at the office was now looking somewhat uneasy for the Fifers although they were only denied a third goal by Bullock's fingertip save from Kirk's header.
Hart was sent off for his second booking which did not help his side's chances of a comeback, and the game was effectively over in the 70th minute when Bell headed into the net after Bullock could only push away a Graham Bayne shot.
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