Dunfermline win Scottish League One title with victory over Brechin

Dunfermline Athletic have become the first club in British football to win their league this season after they secured the Scottish League One title.

The East End Park side went into their game on Saturday knowing a win over Brechin and a defeat for closest challengers Peterhead to Cowdenbeath would give them the silverware.

That ultimately happened but while Dunfermline's 3-1 win over Brechin was expected, second-bottom Cowdenbeath's 1-0 win at Peterhead was a shock.

Nevertheless, it was enough to hand their Fife neighbours the title as they confirmed promotion back to the Championship after three years in the third tier.

Manager Allan Johnston said: "It's an amazing feeling. The boys have got everything they deserved this year, right from the very start of the season.

"They showed the way they wanted to play with intent and we've got over the line eventually.

"It's massive for the club. It's probably a club that's been underachieving over the last couple of years so it's good to be back in the Championship and hopefully we can have a good year there as well."

Dunfermline went 2-0 up through a brace from Faissal El Bakhtaoui double before Robert Thomson pulled one back and Brechin then had another goal disallowed.

Peterhead then fell behind to Greig Spence's goal and Moroccan El Bakhtaoui completed his hat-trick late in the second half to ensure there would be celebrations at full-time for his side.

Dunfermline have won the title with five games still to play, while Cowdenbeath's win moves them out of the relegation play-off place at Forfar's expense.