Barry Nicholson relived a nightmare against Dundee with a spectacular own goal that gave the visitors the points at East End Park.

The Scotland midfielder had put Dundee ahead when the two sides met earlier in the season only to help his team fight back to win 3-2.

This time there was no way back as Dundee, who had lost in nine out of 10 Scottish Premier League visits to East End Park, fought a successful rearguard battle in the second half.

Victory gave in-form Dundee a boost in their push for a top-six finish and dented Dunfermline's hopes of catching third-top Hearts.

Dunfermline gave a debut to striker Noel Hunt

Dunfermline boss Jimmy Calderwood left Noel Hunt, his new signing from Shamrock Rovers, on the bench as the Pars looked for their third victory over Dundee this season.

Steve Hampshire and Gus MacPherson came in for the injured Chris McGroarty and Andre Karnebeek.

Dundee striker Nacho Novo was only considered fit enough for the bench, but Fabian Caballero returned from suspension to replace the Spaniard, with Steven Milne joining him up front.

Dunfermline started positively and Lee Bullen hammered a shot just wide then Stevie Crawford failed to show his Scotland form by shooting high over from 18 yards.

The last time the sides met, Dunfermline's Nicholson opened the scoring with a spectacular own goal and he produced a carbon copy as Dundee took the lead after 13 minutes in bizarre fashion.

Milne gathered a Fabian Caballero pass on the right flank and fired in an innocuous cross towards the six-yard box.

Dundee fought a rearguard action at East End

Nicholson looked to have the ball covered and casually tried to hit it past the post but only succeeded in hammering it past his own goalkeeper.

Crawford drove into the box before firing wide, but the Pars appeared to have lost their composure.

Dundee were content to threaten on the break and a brilliant flick from Georgi Nemsadze set up Gavin Rae only for the Scotland midfielder to delay his shot long enough for goalkeeper Derek Stillie to block.

Dunfermline introduced Hunt as they poured men forward, but it was only a fine double save from Stillie that prevented Dundee from increasing their lead.

Dunfermline: Stillie, MacPherson (Kilgannon 69), Skerla, Scott Wilson, Hampshire (McGarty 81), Nicholson, Dempsey (Hunt 69), Dair, Bullen, Crawford, Brewster.
Subs Not Used: Ruitenbeek, Karnebeek. Booked: Scott Wilson.

Dundee: Speroni, Smith, Wilkie, Khizanishvili, Mair, Mackay, Nemsadze, Rae, Brady, Caballero (Novo 68), Milne (Robertson 68).
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Forbes, Robb.

Booked: Rae.

Goal: Nicholson 13 og.

Attendance: 4,237

Referee: W Young.

Dunfermline: Stillie, MacPherson, Skerla, Scott Wilson, Hampshire, Nicholson, Dempsey, Dair, Bullen, Crawford, Brewster. Subs: Ruitenbeek, Karnebeek, Kilgannon, Hunt, McGarty.

Dundee: Speroni, Smith, Wilkie, Khizanishvili, Mair, Mackay, Nemsadze, Rae, Brady, Caballero, Milne. Subs: Langfield, Robertson, Novo, Forbes, Robb.

Referee: W Young.