SPFL: Dunfermline rescue dramatic draw with league leaders St Johnstone

GRNDSTND
Nov 9
4 min read

Dunfermline Athletic 2-2 St Johnstone

Andrew Tod scores 91st minute equaliser to earn Fife side a stunning 2-2 draw with runaway leaders St Johnstone

Andrew Tod wheels away to celebrate his 11th goal of the season

Dunfermline Athletic continued their improved form in the William Hill Championship with a hard-fought 2-2 draw with leaders St Johnstone on a fine November afternoon at East End Park. The afternoon began with an impeccably observed memorial to those who lost their lives in conflict, as Dunfermline chairman Jim Leishman and St Johnstone chairman Adam Webb laid wreaths on the centre circle.

The atmosphere was cracking, with the visiting St Johnstone 'Ultras' making a huge noise in the away end, and letting off pyrotechnics as the game kicked off, but on the pitch it was the home team which made an explosive start. Matthew Tod collected the ball wide and fed a low cross into Barney Stewart, who brilliantly flicked the ball beyond St Johnstone goalkeeper Toby Steward, giving the Fife club an unexpected lead.

Barney Stewart's brilliant 8th minute flick gave Dunfermline the lead

The Pars did well to maintain their lead as goalkeeper Billy Terrell kept out a deft header from Adama Sidibeh, before Sidibeh's low shot flashed wide of the far post, and for a good 10 minutes it seemed to be attack against defence in favour of the visitors. Then, in the 30th minute, came an outrageous piece of wizardry from the league leaders.

Reece McAlear's stunning free-kick brought St Johnstone level after half an hour at East End Park

Reece McAlear placed the ball some 30 yards from the Dunfermline goal, and breathtakingly curled it around the 3-man wall into the top corner of Terrel's net, and despite a desperate dive, the Pars keeper could barely get near it. Cue pandemonium in the away end, and McAlear ran nearly the length of the pitch to celebrate with them. It was a truly outstanding moment and a reward for the visitors positive response to going behind early on.

The visitors remained on top for the last 15 minutes of the half, except for one moment of defensive chaos which nearly saw Dunfermline re-take the lead. Terrel smashed a clearance up the pitch, St Johnstone's Cheick Diabate let the ball bounce, and he and goalkeeper Toby Steward almost collided, both missing the ball, almost allowing Matthew Tod in to score before Diabate nipped in to hook the ball clear in front of an open goal.

In the second half Dunfermline came out with purpose, and a neat move down the left side resulted in a cut back for Matthew Tod, whose low hard shot was well saved by Steward in the St Johnstone goal. The leaders responded with a breakaway which should have resulted in a second goal, but Liam Smith could only bundle the ball into the grateful arms of Terrel in the Dunfermline goal.

Within 10 minutes Smith would find himself in the same position in the centre of the goal. and this time he would make no mistake, rounding off a fine move down the left side by firmly placing his shot into the roof of the Pars net, and giving the league leaders the lead with 24 minutes remaining. Cue more scenes of passion as Smith ran away in celebration and many of the St Johnstone fans charged down the stand towards the pitch.

Over the next 20 minutes Dunfermline pushed St Johnstone back, aiming a barrage and variety of crosses into their box, without making Steward really stretch himself in the visitors goal. Then as the clock ticked past 90 minutes the Pars produced some incisive football down the left side before Andrew Tod picked up the ball on the edge of the box, dribbled inside and let fly with a shot which deflected off the unlucky Diabate and past a helpless Steward.

The Pars faithful went bananas and Tod channelled his inner Jurgen Klinsmann and did a spectacular dive in celebration of his 11th goal of the season.

Andrew Tod's deflected shot gave the Dunfermline fans an ending to remember at East End Park

In a frantic ending both sides pushed for a winner but neither would find it, with the game ending in a thrilling 2-2 draw. It was a remarkable afternoon in Fife's newest city, and proof that Neil Lennon's side are much improved and could compete for promotion to the Premiership in the remainder of this season.

GRNDSTND, Photography and words by Matt Hooper

The match is part of the project - OUR GAME: Community and Identity through Football by Matt Hooper Photography. The project explores the relationship between fans and players, and the club within the community.

The project will be published as a book and in an exhibition once completed, and has so far included matches at Dunfermline Athletic, Dundee United, Dundee, Raith Rovers, East Fife, Arbroath, Swindon Town, St Andrews United, Tayport and Cupar Hearts.

Coming soon the project will take in games at all the Junior Clubs of Dundee including Dundee Violet, Lochee United, Dundee Downfield, Dundee North End and Broughty Athletic. It will also cover the Dundee Saturday Morning Football League, and the East Lothian Amateur Football Association.

In 2026 I will be heading into England to cover matches at Swindon Town, Devizes Town and the spiritual home of Sunday League Football - Hackney Marshes.

Matches covered for OUR GAME Community and Identity through Football so far:

2025/26 SPFL William Hill Championship: Dunfermline Athletic 2-2 St Johnstone

2025/26 SPFL William Hill Championship: Raith Rovers 0-2 Ayr United

2024/25 SPFL William Hill League Two: East Fife 1-2 Stranraer

2024/25 SPFL William Hill Premiership: Dundee United 3-2 Hibernian

2021/22 Fife Amateur Cup Final: Cupar Hearts 2-0 The Swifts

2021/22 Kingdom of Fife Premier League Cup Semi-Final: Cupar Hearts 2-0 Kirkcaldy

2021/22 Kingdom of Fife Premier League: Cupar Hearts 1-0 Greig Park Rangers

2021/22 SPFL Cinch Premiership: Dundee 3-1 Hibernian

2021/22 SPFL Cinch Championship: Arbroath 5-1 Queen of the South

2021/22 SkyBET League Two: Swindon Town 0-1 Newport County

2021/22 SPFL Cinch Championship: Arbroath 3-3 Raith Rovers