Scotland striker Stevie Crawford struck twice to give Dunfermline Athletic a hard-fought victory over local rivals Falkirk.

But the First Division leaders pushed the Pars all the way before the Scottish Premier League outfit took their place in the quarter-finals of the CIS Cup.

The men from the south side of the River Forth had drawn on their last three visits to East End Park.

But Crawford settled the nerves of the side sitting third in the SPL by opening the scoring after two minutes then settled the game with 11 minutes remaining.

Signing target Taribo West in the stand

Dunfermline's pre-match injury worries eased, with only Lithuanian international Andrius Skerla and former Middlesborough winger Sean Kilgannon failing to start.

Scott Thomson, Lee Bullen and Crawford all passed late fitness tests.

Falkirk boss and former Par Ian McCall was without defenders Kevin Christie and Andy Lawrie.

But that was compensated in some way by the return of skipper Kevin James from suspension.

Dunfermline got off to the best possible start under the watchful eye of signing target Taribo West when Barry Nicholson fed Craig Brewster with a free-kick.

Brewster laid the ball into the path of Crawford and Scotland marksman rattled the ball low into the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Falkirk rallied and former Livingston midfielder Steven Tosh went close to an equaliser in the 12th minute with a shot that flashed across goal.

The visitors could have equalised after 19 minutes, but top scorer and former Par Owen Coyle failed to get enough purchase on his attempted chip over Marco Ruitenbeek and the Dutchman gathered easily.

Dunfermline almost extended their lead four minutes later, Brewster nodding the ball into Crawford's path only for the striker to lash a volley just wide of Allan Ferguson's goal.

Scott Wilson and Falkirk's Lee Miller tussle

Crawford then forced Ferguson to parry the ball clear after meeting a flick on from Bullen.

It needed a timely interception by veteran John Hughes to prevent Bullen's cross finding Crawford inside the six-yard box as Dunfermline again threatened after the break.

Ruitenbeek produced a superb block when he dived at the feet of Jamie McQuilken to prevent the defender's drive hitting the net after 56 minutes.

Dunfermline were the better side but only put the tie beyond the visitors after 79 minutes.

Nicholson broke clear and left Ferguson stranded as he set up Crawford for a simple tap in.

Dunfermline: Ruitenbeek, Scott Thomson, Bullen, Scott Wilson, MacPherson (Dair 49), Nicholson, Mason, Dempsey (Nicholls 72), McGroarty (Walker 68), Crawford, Brewster. Subs Not Used: Petrie, Stillie.

Goals: Crawford 2, 79.

Falkirk: Ferguson, McKenzie, Hughes, James, Samuel , Kerr, Rennie, Tosh (Rodgers 81), McQuilken, Coyle, Miller (McPherson 72). Subs Not Used: Henry, Cringean, Hill.

Booked: Samuel.

Attendance: 6,933

Referee: W Young.