The Pars succumbed to a rare reverse against play-off-chasing Stranraer.
Allan Johnston’s side had an interval lead through Brad McKay’s 36th-minute tap-in as an innocuous cross from the right after a corner eluded everyone.
Stranraer felt aggrieved at the denial of a penalty claim shortly after, but the Blues came out after the break and demolished the league champions with a terrific display.
When Mark McGuigan latched on to a loose ball and rounded David Hutton four minutes after the break, the home side took control.
A Craig Malcolm header from Willie Gibson’s corner just after the hour mark had Stranraer ahead.
Former Pars Steven Bell and Andy Stirling then linked-up on the edge of box for the latter to drive an unstoppable low drive home just six minutes later.
Malcolm added the Blues’ fourth just five minutes from time with a delightful touch, turn and shot to seal an important win and end Dunfermline’s miserable afternoon.
Manager Allan Johnston was not satisfied with the performance, saying: “In the first half we looked reasonably in control. But if we defend like we did in the second half, especially at set-pieces, then we are going to cause ourselves lots of problems”.
Johnston made a few changes and stated: “It was important to see what the other members of the squad could do and to give them a chance to win contracts and see who’s ready to step up to the next level, but not many have done themselves favours today.
“It was frustrating for us and wasn’t good enough, and we didn’t withstand the physical side of the game,” he added.
“We’ll learn from that.”
Stranraer boss Brian Reid, seeing his side move closer to clinching a play-off place for the chance to join Dunfermline at the next level, said: “We’re on a good run and full of confidence, and hopefully we can keep our momentum going into the play-offs.”
