A bizarre goal from Jason Dair - a cross that somehow found its way into the net - gave Dunfermline a 1-0 victory over managerless Hearts.

The Edinburgh club huffed and puffed for most of the game but lacked a cutting edge and this result does nothing to suggest that caretaker manager Peter Houston will get the job permanently.

Hearts fired the first shots in anger when Grant Murray made it to the by-line on the left but the angle was always a tight one and he found only goalkeeper Marco Ruitenbeek.

Eddie May, who was making his first start since August 5, fired Dunfermline's first reply but could not hit the target after Hearts had been put under pressure by Chris McGroarty's direct run which saw Steve Crawford's shot blocked by Murray.

At the other end Andy Kirk used his strength to get the better of his marker but his shot on the turn was straight at the goalkeeper.

McGroarty again showed his willingness to run with the ball at his feet and this time he let fly himself forcing Antti Niemi into a flying catch.

But it was the Dunfermline man's foul on winger Juanjo that led to a free-kick move that almost produced a goal when Stephen Pressley won a header at the back post but could not find the target.

It was the same story at the other end when Lee Bullen had a go from outside the area.

It was not an inspiring start overall, however, although Hearts, under caretaker manager Houston, showed themselves to be well organised.

It was a much-changed home team with hamstring victim Ian Ferguson out and red-card duo David Moss and Youssef Rossi both suspended.

That meant a rare chance for May and the inclusion of Rob Matthaei and Bullen.

Stephen Fulton, who was back in the side following injury, fired a free-kick wide from 25 yards.

Then, just after the half-hour mark, Kirk slammed a shot over from a tight angle after he got behind the defence.

The Pars were ready to shoot from distance, and their policy eventually paid off in a most unexpected manner.

First Justin Skinner saw Murray block his long-range effort, and then May fired wide.

Gordan Petric was in the way of a Crawford effort, and then when Dair whipped in a cross from the left it eluded everybody including the onrushing Barry Nicholson.

But in the 41st minute Dair was delighted to find his name on the scoresheet when he whipped in another cross from a similar position.

Again everybody missed the ball, including goalkeeper Niemi who was horrified to see it curl into the net inside his far post.

Dunfermline created the first chance of the second half, a swift attack that ended with May firing at the goalkeeper.

But thereafter it was Hearts applying the pressure as they sought an equaliser. Cameron fired over after good work down the right by Scott Severin and then Dunfermline defender Dair sliced the ball across his own penalty box. It could have fallen to Gordon Durie but instead swirled away for a corner.

Cameron's next effort was deflected wide and Dunfermline made a change on 54 minutes, swapping McGroarty for Steven Boyle.

Still the away side attacked - Cameron miskicked a shot and Juanjo saw his effort blocked.

On the hour mark Hearts had a penalty appeal turned down when neat approach play by Durie and Juanjo set up Kirk for a curling shot that appeared to strike a defender's hand but play went on.

The home side came more into it and Crawford went on a run that saw him shoot at Niemi and then Nicholson got the better of Kirk down the right and crossed for Crawford, who chested down only to see Gary Locke nip in to clear.

Boyle sent in a cross intended for Bullen at the far post, but the striker could not connect.

Hearts then made a double substitution, taking off Severin and Kirk and bringing on Robert Tomaschek and Gary McSwegan.

Dair cut inside from the left and struck a fierce shot that was just too high.

There was a real scramble in the Hearts penalty area involving Dunfermline pair Nicholson and Crawford, Hearts defender Murray and keeper Niemi and at one point it looked as though Nicholson might be able to prod home the loose ball.

But the goalkeeper eventually gathered and play was halted for the two Dunfermline men to receive treatment.

With 11 minutes to go the home side replaced May with Mark McGarty.

Hearts pushed forward in the knowledge that time was running out and when goalkeeper Ruitenbeek punched away, Nicholson collected the loose ball before pumping it forward for Crawford to flick on to Bullen.

It was a move that deserved a second Dunfermline goal but the striker's finish was straight at the goalkeeper.

Juanjo fired a shot into Ruitenbeek's arms and the goalkeeper had to come way off his line to punch away when the Spaniard again appeared in a dangerous position.