GAFFER JIM IS FLEMING MAD! FIRST DIVISION.

Byline: EWAN SMITH

DUNDEE ...........1 DUNFERMLINE ..0

BLAZING Pars gaffer Jim McIntyre blasted cock-up keeper Greg Fleming for the crazy decision that cost his side a penalty - and the points.

Fleming had a moment of madness in 37 minutes when he clattered into Colin McMenamin to hand Gary Harkins a chance from the spot that he gladly took to hand Dee an early edge in the title race.

McIntyre was far from impressed with the manner of the goal conceded.

He said: "I've no complaints about the penalty. It was a crazy decision from my keeper to slide in like he did when their player was practically on the bye-line.

"We just didn't perform anywhere near as well as we're capable of and didn't deserve anything from the game." DUNDEE Howler Hapless keeper Fleming was in no mood to argue with his gaffer's assessment and held his hands up to his howler.

He said: "It was a penalty and I can't argue with the decision. Maybe I should have stayed on my line but when I got there I tripped up and fell into him.

"It was a foul but it's just my luck the pitch was so hard. On a wet day I wouldn't have taken a big divot and maybe wouldn't have given away the penalty. pressure favourites Their - which saw cash than Scotland cranked the through the But the through period good with Driven on of Joe Cardle, "We've got plenty of time left to mount a challenge."

The win eased some of the threat early decent pressure on pre-season title favourites Dundee.

Their summer spending spree - which saw them splash more cash than any other side in Scotland except Celtic - has cranked the expectation levels through the roof.

But the home crowd were put through the mill in the first period before Dundee came good with Harkins' penalty.

Driven on by the creative runs of Joe Cardle, Pars looked a real threat early on and felt they had decent appeals for a penalty waved away in four minutes. Cardle cut inside Eric Paton before falling to the deck but Craig Thomson was unmoved.

Moments later Cardle turned provider as he cut the ball back for Graham Bayne who fired over from 20 yards.

At the other end McMenamin had a header saved by Fleming and Leigh Griffiths had his rebound charged down.

Griffiths then saw a 20-yard free-kick deflect wide as Dundee began to come more and more into the game.

But they had keeper Tony Bullock to thank for keeping it level with a super stop in 24 minutes after Cardle's cross was met by Steven Bell.

Paton then tried to test Fleming with a low driven cross but no-one could get the vital touch to finish the move.

Then Pars striker Andy Kirk missed a golden chance to put his side ahead in 35 minutes.

The ex-Hearts man was sent clear by Alex Burke but with just Bullock to beat he snatched at the effort and fired over.

Sharper Kirk was left to rue that miss minutes later as Dundee took the lead from the spot.

McMenamin seemed to be running away from goal when Fleming decided to sweep his legs from him and leave ref Thomson with no option.

Dunfermline emerged from the break looking the sharper side and Bayne will be annoyed he wasn't able to get more pace and direction on his header in 56 minutes to trouble Bullock.

At the other end Griffiths missed a great chance to seal the win when he beat the offside trap to race on to a Harkins through ball only to fire straight into the hands of Fleming.

But despite pressure from Pars the Dundee defence stood firm to earn what could prove a crucial win come May.

Boss Jocky Scott said: "We got the victory and that was the most important thing on the back of three draws.

"I'd take results like that all season but I'd rather we got them in a different manner because we gave the ball away too often for my liking."

MoM: McMenamin (Dundee)

CAPTION(S):

The Dee steps to heaven: Harkins nets the spot kick, top, after Fleming's howler, left, and, right, it's party time for Harkins