Following last week's comfortable 1-0 win over Raith Rovers at home Manager Terry Butcher elected to make just one change to the starting eleven for the visit to East End Park to take on Dunfermline Athletic.  Richie Foran returned from suspension with Eric Odhiambo dropping to the bench, Russell Duncan also returning from suspension had to make do with a place on the bench.

With snow falling before kick off the lines had to brushed in order for the referee to start play.  It was a fairly quiet opening to the game with both sides sizing each other up, Adam Rooney had our first shot on goal when he latched onto a Richie Foran knock down in the box but he fired his shot well wide of the goal.  Only a good challenge by defender Neil McGregor prevented Rooney getting in another strike on goal after he was released into the box.

Just after the 20 minute mark Ryan Esson was alert when Dunfermline broke up field, David Graham played the ball into Steven McDougall but his low driven shot was gathered in by Esson.  Ten minutes later and Adam Rooney threatened again but after being released by Jonny Hayes he failed to replicate last Saturday's goal against Raith and fired wide of the right hand post.

On the 33rd minute Adam Rooney once again got a sight of goal with Hayes again the provider but Greg Paterson in the Pars goal held his shot.  Dunfermline hit back with an effort of their own shortly before the half-time interval however Ryan Esson pushed away ex-Kilmarnock winger Willie Gibson's strike.

Half-time score: Dunfermline Atheltic 0 - ICT 0

Five minutes into the second half saw Ryan Esson again involved when he did well to tip an Andy Kirk effort round his post following some Pars pressure after corner kick.  On 66 minutes Dougie Imrie replaced Jonny Hayes.  Dani Sanchez broke clear in the penalty box and was just about to pull the trigger when goalkeeper Greg Paterson came diving out to smother the ball at his feet as we finished the stronger of the two sides. 

Three minutes before the final whistle and the returning Richie Foran powered a strike in on goal but the busy Greg Paterson held well and the final whistle sounded soon afterwards.  The point kept us above the Pars in the league table but with Dundee winning they increased their lead over us to 12 points before they visit us in Inverness on Boxing Day.

Full-time score: Dunfermline Athletic 0 - ICT 0

ICT Team

Esson

Proctor, Bulvitis, Munro, Djebi-Zadi

Duff, Cox

Hayes, Sanchez, Foran

Rooney

Subs: Allison, Odhiambo for Sanchez (85 mins), Imrie for Hayes (66 mins), Duncan, Stratford