East Fife 2-1 Arbroath

Apr 20 2008 Chris Gallagher At Bayview

EAST FIFE boss Dave Baikie watched his title-winning side clinch an eighth victory in 10 games - then amazingly claimed his players had put their tools away.

Despite the champions picking up another win the demanding gaffer knew only a shocking performance by referee Stephen Finnie had gifted his side the points.

He said: "The players have switched off a bit.

"There is an air of relaxation about their play.

"It is a difficult day football-wise when you know there is a trophy presentation party at the end of it.

"But it has turned out to be a good result for us. Now we have 87 points but I want 90."

Baikie also revealed he is hopeful of making it two promotions in a row after chairman Willie Gray delighted the punters by saying he felt the club would be in a position to challenge for promotion again next season.

The Fifers boss said: "We don't need a lot of players. We just need one or two more.

"We will soon be looking in the First Division and Second Division for players.

"There might not be any full-time teams in Division Two next season which would make it a level playing field and give us a chance."

With only one defeat in 17 matches the champions began confidently expecting another comfortable three points.

And all seemed to be going to plan early doors with the home side dominating.

But it was Arbroath who went ahead in 20 minutes after a neat exchange between Andy Riley and Paul Lunan that ended with the latter slamming past Craig Wight from 18 yards.

The Fifers should have levelled in 43 minutes when Robbie Raeside was adjudged to have pulled back Jonathan Smart in the box.

It was a dubious penalty but justice was done when Dougie Cameron put his spot kick wide although the dozy PA announcer hailed it as a goal much to the delight of the away fans.

The Fifers won another soft penalty in 69 minutes when blunder ref Finnie ruled that Roddy Black fouled Paul Stewart in the area.

It was a poor decision by the referee who only gave the spot kick after consulting his linesman.

This time Paul McManus stepped up for East Fife and drilled his effort past Darren Hill.

Reilly almost restored the lead for Arbroath in 74 minutes with a delightful run and shot from 20 yards which smacked the bar.

Moments later the home side survived a huge scare when Alan Rattray met Paul Watson's corner and headed against the bar.

In the scramble that followed the defender was denied again when his close-range strike was bundled off the line by Steven Tweed. Arbroath's rotten luck continued in 81 minutes when Watson hit the post from 10 yards.

McManus then stole it for the Fifers in 82 minutes with a fine run and low shot which flew past Hill into the bottom corner.

Arbroath boss John McGlashan was philosophical in defeat. He said: "We were excellent. If we play half as good as that in the play-offs we won't be far away.

"I'm not too bothered about the penalties. These things even themselves out so hopefully we get the big decisions in the play-offs."

HERO

ON the day they were crowned champions special mention is due to Fifers boss Dave Baikie. His side have shown a fine blend of flair and steel as they stormed to the title.

VILLAIN

REFEREE Stephen Finnie almost wrecked Arbroath's play-off hopes. His decision to award two dubious spot-kicks to the home side played a huge part in yesterday's result.