CONSECUTIVE defeats at the hands of Lochgelly Albert and Rosyth had dampened the Seasiders’ mood after a bright start to the season, but manager Geoff Jones had at least witnessed a fighting display in the 2-0 defeat at Rosyth and had cause to believe his men could return to winning ways against a Pumpherston outfit positioned near the foot of the table.

Keith Tait and Dean Ballantyne were recalled to the starting XI, Steven Girdwood and Jamie Burstow dropping to the bench.

The action started at a frantic pace before Sam Young gave the Seasiders a fifth-minute lead after the visiting keeper could only parry a Darren Handling effort. Just two minutes later, skipper Steven Tait netted from around the 12-yard mark after he was set up by brother Keith, rifling his shot into the roof of the net.

There was no let-up in the game’s intensity, as Pumpherston pulled a goal back with the clock still only at the 11-minute mark, Fleming taking advantage of some questionable Dunbar defending.

Another five minutes on, the game’s fourth goal materialised in Dunbar’s favour – a flowing move involving Young and Chris Grant evolved to the effect Ballantyne scored from the latter’s pass. The same player struck the base of the post two minutes later, while Young went on to hit the bar and both Grant and Ballantyne went close to claiming the Seasiders’ fourth.

The pressure eventually told when that fourth goal came along, Young netting casually from Steven Tait’s long ball into his path, and Handling could have had the fifth had it not been for a good save by the stretching Pumpherston keeper just before the break.

Dunbar kept up their impressive play after the break but things were a shade quieter. There were some tetchy moments, forcing the referee to flash a few yellow cards, then after Ballantyne came close to adding to the Dunbar tally on several occasions, Pumpherston scored on the counter, striker Shave curling a ball beyond Connor Wood from 30 yards.

Two more goals in the last five minutes wrapped things up. With four minutes left, Dunbar defender Grant Thomson, sent off at Rosyth, rampaged up the right wing and fired a fantastic low strike from 30 yards out into the bottom corner. Lawrie snatched a third goal for the visitors late on.

With just six points separating the top eight teams in the table, the South Division is shaping up for an interesting promotion chase and Dunbar can be part of it if they can establish consistency.

This Saturday’s game at Stoneyburn Juniors will be a test, with the West Lothian men on a high from a Scottish Junior Cup first-round win.