Dunfermline beat St Mirren to go top

Dunfermline took over at the top of the Ladbrokes Championship with a 3-0 home win against former leaders St Mirren who finished the game with nine men.

Dunfermline were ahead after 20 minutes as Kallum Higginbotham crossed for Declan McManus to run in and shoot past Craig Samson.

The home side extended their lead on the stroke of half-time when substitute David Hopkirk shot home from the edge of the box after a ball in from the right by full-back Ryan Williamson. Dunfermline added a third 11 minutes into the second half as Callum Morris turned in from a corner.

To make matters worse for the visitors, who drop to second as a result of the defeat, they had Adam Eckersley sent off with four minutes to go and Gregor Buchanan was dismissed two minutes later after being shown a second yellow card.