St Johnstone 0 - 1 Dunfermline: Paul Gallacher helps visitors build survival base with spot-kick save

PAUL Gallacher was thrilled to help Dunfermline earn their first win since stepping back up to the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and said Saturday's victory shows they will not be content to just make up the numbers this season.

The East End Park goalkeeper was the hero in Perth as he kept out Liam Craig's second-half penalty to protect the Fifers' single-goal advantage given to them by Andy Kirk's 30th-minute strike against the run of play.

Gallacher was superbly protected by a stout rearguard action after defender John Potter was sent off for bringing down Francisco Sandaza for the 61st-minute spot-kick - a decision manager Jim McIntyre indicated Dunfermline are likely to appeal

The victory ensured they remain unbeaten since stepping up as last season's First Division champions, with home draws against St Mirren and Inverness giving them five points from a possible nine so far.

And Gallacher, who celebrates his 32nd birthday tomorrow, believes it has provided McIntyre's side with a solid base from which to prove they can survive in the top flight.

He said: "Of course it is a relief to get our first win. We got a draw in the first game, which gets a point on the board, but we're delighted to get that first win.

"There's a long way to go, there's a lot of tough tests ahead, but we're looking forward to it.

"It was a fantastic victory for us, let's be honest. We were down to ten men but we battled away and got a well-deserved victory.

"It definitely proves we're in the league to compete. The boys have come up after a fantastic season last year, where they were winning most games and winning comfortably.

"We're in with the big boys now, playing against a lot of fantastic players and good teams in this league, but we're in there holding our own at the minute. There were a lot of positives from the game and hopefully we can build on that going into next week's game."

It was Gallacher's second penalty stop in just three league games this term, adding to the save from Steven Thompson in the goalless draw with St Mirren last month.

However, the Scotland cap, whose impressive form will be of interest to national team boss Craig Levein, was full of praise for his team's strong defensive effort which restricted St Johnstone to few chances even after going down to ten men.

He added: "I am delighted with the save, obviously, but I thought the performance the boys put in in front of me was absolutely top notch. They defended well and cleared the lines well. They really put their bodies on the line.

"It was pleasing to have a hand in helping to get the win but the boys in front of me were absolutely immense." Kirk was the match-winner at the other end as he popped up with the kind of poacher's goal he has become renowned for throughout his career.

Joe Cardle and Andy Dowie shared passes in a short corner straight off the training pitch that put Jason Thomson into acres of space on the edge of the area.

The on-loan Hearts full-back's low drive was drifting wide but Kirk found enough space on the edge of the six-yard box to deflect it into the net.

The goal came against the run of play, with Carl Finnigan having been booked for handling into the net early on and David McCracken having been denied by Gallacher with a powerful header.

But St Johnstone, who have now failed to score in three league matches, could not make the most of their domination of possession throughout a frustrating 90 minutes.

Sandaza, who made his debut for the club as a substitute early in the second half, looked as if he could solve the Perth side's attacking problems and earned his team's penalty with a twisting run to the heart of the visitors' defence that tempted Potter into a trip with his trailing leg.

With regular penalty-taker Craig pulling rank to deny Sandaza the opportunity to take the kick himself, the Spaniard continued in impressive fashion and was a bright spot for Saints manager Derek McInnes.

McInnes said: "I was certainly encouraged by big Fran when he came on. He was eager to impress, eager to do well and affect the game.

"We're working hard to get him up to speed and I have no doubts he will be a big player for us.

"He did great for the penalty kick. He came on and you could see from his body language that he was really keen to impress. Hopefully he'll be a big player for us."