Jubilant Jim Jefferies hailed Josh Falkingham as the inspiration behind a remarkable Pars comeback.
The Fifers looked to be sliding to defeat when Brian Gilmour and Michael Moffat gave the Honest Men a two-goal cushion but Stephen Husband’s strike just before the break gave the visitors a lifeline and they cashed in with a Ryan Wallace double and one from Jordan Moore sealing victory.
Jefferies said: “I felt Josh Falkingham epitomised the whole team today. He led by example, was tenacious in the tackle and also showed great composure.
“That is where you get the inspiration and spark from and it’s bound to rub off on other players around him.”
Pocket-rocket Falkingham may be small in stature but Jefferies added: “That doesn’t matter he has a big heart. He has skill, pace and a great football brain.”
It did not look as if Jefferies would have much to enthuse over when Gilmour’s long-range, wind-assisted shot sailed high into the Pars net in 17 minutes.
And the Pars’ plight intensified 10 minutes later when Moffat pounced on a slip by Ryan Williamson to produce a calm finish.
Husband’s spectacular strike, however, just before the break transformed the match and Wallace almost got the leveller with a shot that crashed off the bar.
The striker was not to be denied and he beat David Hutton from the spot on the hour mark after Alan Forrest had fouled Alex Whittle.
The comeback was complete whenFalkingham’s pass set up Wallace for his second before Moore’s late strike sealed the points.
Jefferies added: “To come back from 2-0 down says a lot about these players. They will now focus on trying to keep winning and it would make it a great season if we could get up.
“It would take a drastic change in form to turn Rangers back but we just need to keep plodding away. They are strong favourites but, if we can’t finish first, we will try to finish second.”