An impressive Dunfermline side took a one-goal lead in a one-sided first half against Kilmarnock at East End Park.

Stevie Crawford ended his goal draught in the 23rd minute with his first goal in 12 matches.

The striker, whose previous goal was also against Kilmarnock, latched on to a Barry Nicholson cross to toe-poke the ball past Gordon Marshall from six yards before running away in wild celebration.

Dunfermline were good value for their lead.

They were the more determined and did not gave Kilmarnock a chance to play their own game.

Dunfermline's good home form met with Kilmarnock's impressive away record so it was likely that something was going to give at East End Park.

The game started at a fierce tempo and within a minute Dunfermline striker David Moss had to leave the field to get stitches in a head gash and the home side played with 10 men for the next six minutes.

But it was Dunfermline who had the best of the early stages and midfielder Steven Hampshire was unlucky with a run which took him through the centre of the Kilmarnock defence, Kevin McGowne having to halt him a last-gasp tackle.

In the eighth minute Dunfermline midfielder Ian Ferguson robbed Kilmarnock's Alan McLaren in the midfield to set up a breakaway move. But in a three-against-one situation Kilmarnock defender Peter Canero defended brilliantly to save the visitors from losing the first goal.

But it was Kilmarnock who had the first real chance of the game moments later when McLaren pounced on a through ball from midfielder Stuart Davidson after Dunfermline keeper Marco Ruitenbeek had made a poor clearance.

But the keeper rescued the situation coming out to smother McLaren's shot from just inside the box.

Dunfermline continued to dominate and it was no surprise in the 23rd minute when they took the lead.

Crawford capitalised on slack defending in the Kilmarnock box to poke the ball past Marshall from six yards out and end his personal goal drought.

Crawford celebrated by running to the main stand and unveiling his T-shirt which said simply 'Thank You Santa'.

A minute later Hampshire nearly doubled the home team's lead but his header from 10 yards was cleared off the line by McGowne with Marshall beaten.

Dunfermline continued to press and forced a series of corners while their opponents looked incapable of doing anything about it.

Ferguson was running the midfield for Dunfermline and his team-mates were quicker in the tackle and first to the loose balls.

On the half-hour mark Crawford could have got his second but his shot from the edge of the box was poor and Marshall saved easily.

Two minutes later there was a scare in the Dunfermline defence when keeper Ruitenbeek had to head the ball before clearing as Kilmarnock forwards were ready to pounce.

Dunfermline remained dangerous on the attack and three minutes from the break Chris McGroaty sent Hampshire through but the midfielder's cut-back from was easily cut out by Marshall.