Pars running out of time to escape drop

AUSSIE ace Scott McDonald's superb double sent the Pars a step nearer to the first division.

But the hothead Well hero scored an own goal with stupid behaviour which could have got him a red card. The striker made the difference with clinical finishes - but Well boss Maurice Malpas revealed that he will pull the hitman out of this Saturday's match at Parkhead because of intense pressure on Celtic's signing.

The Oz international, who has now scored 15 this season, showed clear signs that the hype surrounding his move has affected him. Mac was involved in an off-the-ball incident with Pars defender Phil McGuire and then was needlessly cautioned for dissent after sealing the points in spectacular fashion. Malpas said: "I've got to give the boy credit because a lot of people were watching and wondering if he'd go through the motions. "But you all saw his attitude, especially in the second half. He's a game wee bugger.

"He just wanted to go out and play. He's got his big move which is a relief for him and he wants to go out with a bang. I won't play him next Saturday at Celtic Park. I've got to be fair to him as there would be too much pressure on him so I'd rather play someone else. "There will come a time when I won't play him and will try some- one else so that I can look at other players. "I will tell him that he's finished one day but, hopefully, he will think his next game is his last one. Advertisement

"We just can't buy a replacement for Scott - we'll have to look at a Bosman scenario. "Other clubs will have first pick of a proven goalscorer. But we will try to find someone who fits in to our system." Dunfermline should have made the breakthrough just before the interval when a free-kick on the left from Adam Hammill left Scott Muirhead with a free header at the far post - but the winger nodded it at the keeper.

Motherwell were transformed after the re-start and a challenge by McGuire on hitman McDonald conceded a penalty which the Hoops-bound hitman easily converted. Then Dunfermline were caught cold at the back by a clearance which Paul Keegan headed on for McDonald to race unchallenged for his second goal in the 63rd minute and seal the points. Pars boss Stephen Kenny slated his defence for the second-half collapse. He said: "I can't explain those goals but they are the worst we've given away for a long time. They were awful and were gifted to McDonald. "There is no point in looking to others in our situation. We have to do it ourselves and I'm not making any excuses."

MOTHERWELL Smith 6, Corrigan 6, Reynolds 6, Craigan 8, Murphy 5, McBride 6 (Smith 3), Vadocz 5, Kerr 6, Paterson 6, Keegan 6, MCDONALD 9. MANAGER Malpas 6 DUNFERMLIINE DeVries 8, Shields 5, McGuire 5 (Crawford 3), Bamba 5, Morrison 5, Hammill 6 (Ryan 2), Mason 6, Glass 7, Muirhead 4 (Burchill 3), O'Brien 6, Mclntyre 5. MANAGER Kenny 6 REFEREE S Finnie 6 MAN OF THE MATCH SCOTT MCDONALD Clinical finishing MOTHERWELL DUNFERMLINE 5 Shots on target 3 4 Shots off target 5 1 Shots blocked 0 7 Corners 3 19 Fouls conceded 22 4 Offsides 0 3 Yellow cards 4 0 Red cards 0