Dunfermline match-winner Michael Moffat believes this victory can best be summed up by a tale of two red cards.
The East End Park outfit looked in total control for the opening half hour after Gozie Ugwu’s early opener had put them ahead.
But Ross Millen’s 34th-minute red card for hauling down Jackson Longridge just outside the box looked set to have dramatic consequences, especially when ex-Par Willie Gibson drove home the resulting free-kick to level the scores.
The visitors were rocking until a moment of madness from Stranraer striker Craig Malcolm ensured he followed Millen for an early bath.
Malcolm, already booked, was sent packing for a needless handball and, with the numbers even, Moffat pounced to fire home his third goal of the season.
The win propels the Fifers up to second in the League One table and Moffat said: “We had to regroup and we were pleased to get into the break still level and the gaffer was able to reorganise things.
“The second sending-off evened things up and we took control from there, although the final 10 minutes were a bit hectic.”
Dunfermline couldn’t have asked for a better start than to break the deadlock with their first meaningful effort at goal.
Millen’s free kick was knocked down by Andy Geggan and former Reading striker Ugwu swivelled to beat David Mitchell with a low drive.
Geggan and Ugwu missed golden chances to put the game to bed but the lethal Moffat edged them back in front with an impressive finish.
The busy Ryan Williamson found the former Ayr United striker in space but he still had plenty work to do, scoring from an acute angle.
Pars boss Jim Jefferies said: “The sending-off and the resulting goal set us back a little but it was all about coming down here and showing a bit of character.”
Stranraer manager Stevie Aitken said: “Craig’s red card killed us.”