East Fife 1-0 East Stirling

Feb 3 2008 Jordan Costello At Bayview

DELIGHTED Dave Baikie watched his runaway league leaders snatch a last-minute winner to rack up another three points but the East Fife boss admitted it's now a real struggle to keep his players motivated.

Dougie Cameron kept his cool to bag a penalty deep into stoppage time as the Fifers' march towards the title continued against a brave Shire side. Baikie was satisfied with the win but confessed the high-flying Fifers are struggling to get themselves up for matches because of their huge 21-point lead.

The East Fife gaffer said: "It's hard for the boys to stay motivated at this point in the season being so far ahead.

"That's seven wins out of seven in the league. Maybe we showed we were getting a bit complacent against Shire. But three points is still three points and I'm pleased. We defended well and they didn't have many chances." Shire's David King nudged Greig McDonald in the box in the last minute to hand Cameron the chance to net the winner and Baikie was in no doubt about the decision.

He said: "It was a clear penalty. King pushed Greig and they hardly even appealed so they knew it too."

The result was cruel on Shire and particularly keeper Michael Brown who was outstanding.

The on-loan Raith Rovers star was called into action early on when he saved Lloyd Young's 25 yard effort.

Then in 24 minutes McDonald's long ball picked out Chris Templeman but Brown blocked the striker's angled drive.

The Fifers continued to press and Brown did well to keep out Cameron's header from Paul Stewart's cross.

East Fife should have scored in 35 minutes when Templeman's surging run took him past three players before the ex-Morton star rounded Brown.

But with the Shire defence all at sea he left it to Young to slot into the empty net and the midfielder somehow hit his team-mate and the chance was gone.

Just before the break Kevin Fotheringham worked a neat one-two with Templeman before seeing his powerful shot brilliantly saved by Brown.

And the Shire keeper continued his impressive form after the interval.

In 53 minutes he performed more heroics when he got across to push a pile-driver from Young past the post.

The keeper then blocked a header from Young before the midfielder blazed the rebound over.

Shire almost took a shock lead when Andy Rodgers found himself with just the keeper to beat but his weak effort was saved by Willie McCulloch.

And how Shire rued that miss as the game moved into the final seconds.

AYoung cross posed little danger as it sailed across the box but McDonald was blocked by King as he went for the ball and a penalty was given.

Man of the Match Brown had no chance as Cameron fired in an unstoppable shot into the corner.

Shire boss Gordon Wylde said: "My players gave everything and it was tough to take. It was a penalty although I was a bit disappointed Young didn't get closed down before he crossed it."