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First Division Dunfermline have been dragged into the relegation play-offs after their home defeat by Airdrie United was made worse by Cowdenbeath's 3-1 victory at Hamilton Accies.

The Pars' 15-point penalty for entering administration this season means they end the campaign second bottom on 34 points, two behind the Blue Brazil.

In the play-offs they will face Forfar, who finished fourth in Division Two.

William McLaren scored the winner for the visitors to East End Park.

His goal gave Jim Jefferies' side about half an hour to salvage three points after Dunfermline's Ryan Thomson had earlier cancelled out Liam Coogans' opener a minute after the restart.

But, despite the backing of the vast majority of the 4,624 fans, they could find no way past Kenny Arthur in the Airdrie goal.

And with Colin Cameron's men coming from behind to beat Hamilton, they now face a nervy battle to retain their First Division status.

Dunfermline made a strong start and were unlucky not to have gone in front in the 21st minute when Josh Falkingham hit a post from 10 yards out.

The Pars came close once again a minute later when Thomson clattered the crossbar with his effort.

The visitors flew out of the blocks in the second period and went ahead within 50 seconds of the restart when Coogans scored his first goal for the club from 10 yards.

Jefferies' men equalised in the 58th minute when Thomson fired in from the middle of the box, but the Diamonds won the game four minutes later when McLaren rifled home from 25 yards.

Second Division sides Alloa and Brechin meet in the other play-off over two legs, with the winners meeting home and away in a play-off final.

Dunfermline: Hrivnak, Millen (Dargo 73), Young, Morris, Whittle, Geggan, Husband, Falkingham, Wallace, Smith (Kane 3), Thomson, Kane (Byrne 69). Subs Not Used: Goodfellow, Potter.

Booked: Wallace.

Goals: Thomson 58.

Airdrie Utd: Arthur, O'Neil, Drummond, Lamie, Buchanan, Barclay (Donnelly 60), Bain (Haggarty 80), Hetherington, Liam Watt, Moore (McLaren 60), Coogans. Subs Not Used: Duncan, McSherry.

Booked: Moore, Lamie, Arthur, McLaren.

Goals: Coogans 46, McLaren 62.

Attendance: 4,624

Referee: Craig Thomson