Dunfermline hold out to record first away victory

RAY HEPBURN

5 Oct 1989

Hearts 1, Dunfermline 2

ROSS Jack's value to Dunfermline was emphatically underlined at Tynecastle last night before a crowd of 14,165 when the former Dundee striker scored his eighth goal of the season to lead the Fifers to their first away victory of the season.

It took some time for the player and club to agree terms this summer, but throughout the talks over a new two-year contract, Jack simply kept on scoring.

And in the true tradition of a lethal finisher, the 30-year-old snapped up his one clear run of play chance, although he will regret missing another golden opportunity.

That chance came after half-an-hour's play when Dunfermline were awarded a penalty after a Tosh McKinlay tackle on Istvan Kosma.

The kick was struck firmly but Henry Smith dived to his left to fist the ball clear.

But Jack's salvation arrived after 59 minutes when a Stuart Rafferty shot bounced to him off Dave McPherson, and from 16 yards he buried the ball behind Smith.

Hearts, who had much of the pressure, contrived to hit the woodwork three times --Gary Mackay chipping against the face of the bar, Scott Crabbe heading against the top, and Eamonn Bannon hitting a post -- in the opening half against a Dunfermline team who deployed five players across the back.

The home side's difficulty in piercing the Fifers' defence was punished by that Jack goal, and the striker played a crucial part in Dunfermline's clincher.

With eight minutes remaining he headed George O'Boyle's searching cross from the right into the six-yard box, and Paul Smith dived to bullet his header high into the Hearts' net.

Hearts pushed everyone forward and five minutes from time that move paid off.

Bannon looped a header towards Ian Westwater and substitute Husref Musemic helped the ball over the line.

Despite incessant pressure in the closing moments, and some hectic activity around Westwater's line the final touch that would have earned Hearts a point was just too elusive.

HEARTS -- Smith, McLaren, McKinlay, Levein, McCreery, McPherson, Bannon, Mackay, Colquhoun, Crabbe, Robertson.

Substitutes -- Kirkwood, Musemic.

DUNFERMLINE -- Westwater, Robertson, Rougvie, McCathie, Tierney, Sharp, P Smith, Rafferty, Jack, O'Boyle, Kozma.

Substitutes -- Irons, Farningham.

Referee -- D T McVicar (Carluke).