High-flying Dunfermline came back from two goals down to overcome Ayr United, one of their main title rivals, in a high-octane East End Park encounter.
The Pars opened up a 13-point gap over the Honest Men, who were forced to play the second half with 10 men following the dismissal of Brian Gilmour just before the interval and who now look destined to be battling it out for second place with Peterhead.
“The title’s ours to lose,” said Pars midfielder Joe Cardle, who was involved in three talking points from an incident-packed game.
He was adjudged offside when Andy Geggan looked to have given the Pars a first-half lead, conceded a penalty which allowed the visitors to forge 2-0 in front, then scored a brilliant equaliser.
“It was disappointing to give the penalty away” said Cardle.
“I was doing my defensive duties and should just have got rid of the ball, but I tried to cut inside and Alan Forrest has read it and I’ve reacted. But the important thing was to make up for it, and I feel I did that with my goal.”
Ayr took the lead towards the end of the first half through a powerful header from Andy Graham.
They doubled their advantage shortly afterwards, Craig Moore slotting home from the penalty spot after Cardle’s foul.
A penalty at the other end of first-half stoppage time gave Dunfermline a lifeline, Michael Moffat scoring after Gilmour handled Geggan’s goalbound header and earned a straight red card.
Cardle restored parity early in the second half, although initially it looked like his angular drive had been turned in by United defender Nicky Devlin.
Faissal El-Bakhtoui secured the points with a 65th-minute winner, his 21st goal of a remarkably prolific season.
“I’m definitely claiming it” said Cardle when asked about his goal. “I spoke to the referee and he said it’s mine, so that’s 100% good enough for me.
“The mood amongst the players at half time was very positive. It was crucial that we got a goal back after falling two behind and we knew that, with Ayr being reduced to 10 men, we could kick on from there.
“It was a huge three points for us, especially with Peterhead winning, and it opens up a massive gap between ourselves and Ayr.
“It’s vital now that we stay focused even although we’re so far ahead.
“There’s always pressure when you’re at the top of the table but we’ve handled it well so far. The next three or four games will be very important for us.”