Hibernian 1-3 Dunfermline

A Stevie Crawford double helped Dunfermline notch their second win over Hibernian at Easter Road this season.

Gary Mason opened the scoring for the Pars before Crawford netted either side of Ged Brannan's sending off just before half time.

Garry O'Connor pulled a goal back for Hibs but it was not enough to prevent 10-man Dunfermline taking all three points.

Dunfermline created the game's first decent chance when Crawford met Lee Bullen's cross with a diving header only to nod just over the crossbar.

Three minutes later, Bullen had a chance of his own for the Pars when he met Brannan's free-kick with a half-volley but screwed the effort wide.

Dunfermline's persistence paid off when they took the lead after 20 minutes.

Mason unleashed a 25-yard drive, which deflected off Paul Fenwick and flew ball past goalkeeper Nick Colgan and into the back of the net.

Lee Bullen goes past Craig James

Hibs had the chance to draw level just three minutes later when Grant Brebner tried his luck with a shot from the edge of the 18-yard box but he screwed the effort just wide of the post.

Dunfermline should have added to their lead after 32 minutes when Craig Brewster found himself unmarked 15 yards out but he sent his downward header past the upright.

The Pars had looked like the team most likely to find the net again and they did just that after 39 minutes when Brannan's through ball was met by Crawford and he coolly slotted past Colgan.

But, right on the half-time whistle, Brannan was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Brebner.

Hibs boss Bobby Williamson replaced Alen Orman with Tam McManus at the interval in an attempt to get back in the game and the home side began to look more dangerous in front of goal.

McManus released O'Connor down the right flank and he squared the ball into the path of Ian Murray on the edge of the six-yard box, but the midfielder sent his shot well over.

Garry O'Connor holds off two defenders

Dunfermline added to their lead when Bullen burst down the right wing before supplying the cross for Crawford to bullet his second goal of the day after 56 minutes.

But Hibs continued to push forward and their hard work paid off after 67 minutes when a James cross was met by O'Connor, who thundered the ball into the back of the net, with the help of a slight deflection.

Hibs almost grabbed another goal just seconds later when James forced goalkeeper Derek Stillie into a superb save to tip his header just over the crossbar.

They had another chance to reduce Dunfermline's lead when McManus tried his luck with a free-kick from 25 yards but he curled the ball just wide of the upright.

A McManus corner gave Hibs yet another chance but this time the home side were denied by the woodwork when James' header smacked off the crossbar from six yards out.

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Hibernian: Colgan, Orman (McManus 45), Fenwick, Zambernardi, Townsley, Brebner, O'Neil (Arpinon 75), Murray, James, O'Connor (Riordan 79), Paatelainen.

Subs Not Used: Andersson, Doumbe.

Booked: O'Neil.

Dunfermline: Stillie, MacPherson, Skerla, Scott Wilson, Grondin, Bullen (Dair 72), Mason, Nicholson, Brannan, Brewster, Crawford (Hunt 87).

Subs Not Used: Ruitenbeek, Hampshire, Dempsey.

Sent Off: Brannan (46).

Booked: Grondin.

Att: 9,175

Ref: M McCurry