KILMARNOCK 4 DUNFERMLINE ATH 0
THIS refreshingly watchable, if ultimately meaningless, end-of-season contest had Dunfermline fearing the seven-goal spanking which would have sucked them back into relegation danger, but events elsewhere confirmed Jim Leishman's amazing salvage job.
It was an emotional occasion, too, for Willie Young. That most comically contemptuous of referees has fixed his icy stare for the last time. At Kilmarnock's behest, both teams applauded him on to the field for his final match without expecting any leniency during the 90 minutes.
How right they were.
A boisterous crowd added to the occasion but the increasing resourcefulness of the children of Ayrshire is doing little to aid the coffers. Regardless of the initiatives that allow kids to attend for the price of a lollipop, one fledgling fan was content to spring from a trampoline in his back garden for a free view.
Kilmarnock preyed on the anxiety of their visitors, stroking the ball about with a confidence that belied their bottom-six status.
Rhian Dodds was a particular source of entertainment. The Irvine-born 25-year-old is a late developer, having only returned from America to take part in a trial match organised by former first-team coach, Ian Durrant.
It has taken two years to equip him with the tools to survive the rigours of the Bank of Scotland Premierleague but he brought balance and finesse to a team that has lacked creativity.
Dunfermline were relieved simply to emerge with their SPL status intact. Leishman offered his congratulations in a postmatch huddle but his enthusiasm alone will not be sufficient to sustain them next season.
"We have a midfielder and a striker lined up, " he said, preempting the pall over the likely departure of Barry Nicholson to Aberdeen. "The hard workwas done in the two games before, and the lads had given so much that they had nothing left."
Kilmarnock saved their best for last. Gary Locke scored his first goal for the club, to the disbelief of his team-mates, with an accomplished header from Peter Leven's corner.
It opened the floodgates.
Dodds made light work of a neat, clinical exchange between Gary Wales and Kris Boyd to add sheen to his performance.
Unsurprisingly, Boyd got in on the act, too, and Jim Jefferies' biggest challenge this summer will be retaining his services.
Aberdeen are set to make a second offer this week, while clubs in the Coca-Cola Championship are monitoring him.
He tapped home an inviting cross from Steven Naismith, and Gary McDonald rounded off an emphatic win with a deft flick around Derek Stillie from yet more Naismith endeavour.
"We have had a terrific week re-signing all our out-of-contract players, " said Jefferies, who is still awaiting a reply from Freddie Dindeleux on his offer to stay.
The last word, as ever, goes to official Young. "I am not the best referee in the world, " he said to unanimous agreement, "but I always got on well with the players and I will miss it."
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