DUNFERMLINE Athletic responded to the 15-point deduction imposed for going into administration by claiming their first win in 11 league games.
Jim Jefferies' side beat Morton 1-0 at Cappielow, hammering another nail into the coffin of the Greenock side's title chances. Ryan Thomson scored the only goal of the game 10 minutes in.
Dunfermline remain in the relegation play-off slot but have realistic hopes of overhauling the teams in seventh and eighth, trailing them by just three points.
However, one of them, Cowdenbeath, showed they will not easily relinquish the lifeline they have been thrown by beating Raith Rovers 1-0 at Stark's Park.
Jamie Stevenson's terrific 25-yard free-kick late proved sufficient to send Colin Cameron's side above Dumbarton on goal difference. Cowdenbeath travel to East End Park on Saturday.
David McGurn stopped two fizzing Stevenson shots from distance before the midfielder beat him with a curling set-piece effort after 41 minutes.
Raith's Grant Anderson was denied by Cowdenbeath goalkeeper Thomas Flynn after the break but Greig Stewart almost extended Cowdenbeath's lead after 76 minutes when he beat McGurn only for his shot to come back off a post.
Stevie May hit his second hat-trick in five days as Hamilton Academical won 3-0 at Livingston. May struck twice before the break, with his first goal coming from a penalty.
Livingston's Danny Mullen missed an open goal in the second half before May headed off a post. An Ali Crawford effort hit both uprights before McGurn smothered the ball.
Accies' Jonathan Page was sent off after a second booking but May completed his treble in 84 minutes with a clever turn and shot at the edge of the penalty box.
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