A goal on the hour mark from former Central Parker Liam Buchanan saw the Pars complete a clean sweep of West Fife derby wins to remain two points clear at the top of the table.

Jimmy Nicholl made one enforced change to the side which had drawn with Falkirk in midweek with Archie Campbell starting in place of Greg Stewart who was unavailable for selection due to work commitments.

In the third minute Pars skipper, McCann, sent over a fine cross from the left which Hardie met and his header produced a fine diving save from Hay. Seconds later, in the Cowden reply, Adamson fired just wide from 22 yards then a Smith kick-out was chased by Buchanan and only a timely interception by O'Brien saw the striker's shot deflected for a corner.

In 11 minutes Crawford's cross from the left put Dunfermline under pressure and  Keddie headed over his own bar and then shortly after Buchanan chased another Smith clearance and fired just wide.

In 21 minutes an Burke pass gave Buchanan the chance to burst into the Cowden box and he nipped the ball past Hay but before he could get in a shot the strong wind carried the ball out for a goal kick. Shortly before the half hour clever work by Campbell saw him send over a pin-point cross from the right and with Linton waiting for a slip Woods headed behind for a corner.

In 39 minutes Cardle's cross picked out Hardie and the link man's header saw Hay palm over the bar, then a minute from the break Hardie's header hit Hay's right hand post and Buchanan, following up, shot over. The second period opened pretty quietly with neither side posing many problems but in 50 minutes a Cardle cross looked bound for Hyde but O'Brien expertly headed clear, however, 12 minutes later the young defender was left helpless.

A Crawford pass was blocked by Dowie and it was collected by Liam Buchanan who held off O'Brien's challenge and coolly slipped the ball past Hay from ten yards.

Dunfermline were buoyed by the goal and soon after a Cardle corner fell to Buchanan and Winter did well to block the striker's low drive.

Coult went on for McKenzie for the last quarter and his first touch gave Campbell an opening but a poor first touch saw the ball come off the front man and roll out for a goal-kick.

In the closing moments Dunfermline, through Hardie, twice threatened but Cowden held on although at the other end they could not get in touch with Smith.