ONWARDS and upwards for Dunfermline Athletic after their narrow in in the Fife derby.
The 1-0 victory over Raith Rovers courtesy of Kallum Higginbotham's penalty kick took Dunfermline a major step closer to safety but immersed Raith in self-doubt.
By tomorrow evening, when Dunfermline travel to Dundee United and Morton host St Mirren, Allan Johnston's side could be up to fifth and Raith could be second-bottom.
But no-one at East End Park is making any assumptions as the season reaches the final furlong.
Paul McMullan, who was fouled by Jason Thomson to make way for Higginbotham's match-winning goal, is certainly not taking anything for granted given Dunfermline's topsy-turvy season.
"It's been getting a bit too close and nervy when you're down near the bottom of the table, but that result maybe gives us a wee bit of breathing space going into the last few games," he stated.
"We have a wee gap now between ourselves and St Mirren and Ayr United, but we still can't begin to think about taking our foot off the gas pedal by any means.
"We've probably drawn four or five too many games to be higher up the table. We've lacked a killer instinct to kill those drawn games off, but we can hopefully consolidate in the Championship after coming up last year and it gives us something to build on next season."
St Mirren finally climbed off the bottom but had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Dumbarton after missing a penalty.
Kyle Magennis hit their goal but Lewis Vaughan, on loan from Raith, equalised before Rory Loy had a penalty saved by Alan Martin.
The Paisley side ended with 10 men after Adam Eckersley picked up his second yellow card in the final minute and manager Jack Ross had mixed feelings about the draw.
"There are fine margins in football and missing the penalty cost us points but overall we are so pleased to be off the foot of the table and I have to pick the boys up again for our final games," he said.
"We have the quality to gain points in these games to get into a better position."
Ayr United are now bottom on goal difference after a late double from Stephen Dobbie gave Queen of the South a 2-0 win at Somerset Park.
A late strike from Luke Leahy earned Falkirk a 1-1 draw against Dundee United at Tannadice after Simon Murray had give the home side the lead.
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