Dunfermline 0-4 Partick Thistle

Steven Craig scored a hat-trick as Partick Thistle inflicted a heavy defeat on Dunfermline.

All four goals came in the first half with Craig netting from close range and Ross Forbes firing home from distance.

Craig converted two Chris Erskine deliveries to worsen the home fans' mood, at the end of a week beset by wage problems at East End Park.

Second-place Thistle move to within two points of First Division leaders Morton and 11 clear of the Pars, who slip to fourth.

Dunfermline: Gallacher, Geggan, Dowie, Morris, McMillan, Wallace, Kane, Thomson, Kirk (Husband 46), Cardle (Smith 59), Dargo (Millen 68). Subs Not Used: Hrivnak, Potter.

Booked: Wallace, Husband, Kane.

Partick: Fox, Stephen O'Donnell, Muirhead, Balatoni, Sinclair, Forbes, Welsh, Bannigan (Craigen 48), Lawless (McGuigan 76), Craig (Doolan 53), Erskine. Subs Not Used: Daniels, Archibald.

Booked: Craig, Erskine.

Goals: Craig 4, Forbes 15, Craig 22, 33.

Att: 2,822

Ref: Bobby Madden