Rory Macleod's second goal of the season saw Athletic end a run of three successive draws by beating Queen's Park.

The 20-year-old's close range finish in the opening period proved decisive for Neil Lennon's men at a rain and wind lashed City Stadium.

Former Dundee United man Macleod was on hand to finish after Allan Oyirwoth's unclean connection from Andrew Tod's cross fell kindly to him inside the six yard box.

It was a fully deserved three points for the visitors who, despite the difficult conditions, controlled the play for the vast majority of the match.

Dunfermline's unbeaten run now stretches to eight games, and they remain fifth, just a point and a place outside the promotion play-off places.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle are immediately above them, after they won at Raith Rovers, who are third and three points above the Pars.

Victory at Stenhousemuir on Tuesday night - who were leapfrogged at the top by Partick Thistle, who won a meeting between the two at Firhill - would take Athletic to within two points of the Warriors, and four of top spot.

There was one change to the Pars side that drew at home to Thistle on Tuesday, with Josh Cooper starting ahead of Keith Bray, who dropped to the bench.

The visitors made a bright start amongst the gloom of Storm Boelo, with Tod having an early attempt blocked, quickly followed by another, with Oyirwoth firing over from the second opportunity.

With only 18 minutes on the clock, however, the Pars made the breakthrough that their early play merited.

Olamilekan Adams, whose wait for a first goal for Dunfermline goes on, started the move, sending a superb pass down the left, on the half turn, for Tod.

He then fired an inviting ball into the box and, although Oyirwoth's connection wasn't clean enough to divert it towards goal, it fell kindly for Macleod to roll home from just a few yards out, for his first goal since netting in a 2-0 home win over the Spiders in September.

Rory Macleod scored the winner for Dunfermline at Queen's Park. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Lennon's men continued to press, with Cooper flashing wide of the far post, having been picked out by Macleod, following a positive driving run and pass by Dylan Lobban.

The on-loan Aberdeen full back soon went for goal himself, after more determined play to move forward, but sent his attempt well off target.

With the wind against them, there was good control of proceedings from Dunfermline, who continued to cause issues for the Spiders with balls into the box.

Towards the end of the half, Aston Oxborough was required to tip over a Scott Martin from range, but the Pars were soon back on the attack.

Alfons Amade - one of several fine performers - made an excellent block tackle that sent Adams clear on the left.

He held the ball in well waiting for support, which arrived through Cooper, who then showed good feet to spin and find Macleod, but his tame effort was easily held by goalkeeper, David Mitchell.

Movement towards Queen's Park's goal continued after the break, with Tod shooting off target, before Adams spurned a golden chance.

Having sent the ball left to Tod, who chipped it into the box, he headed over from six yards after Carlo Pignatiello's clearing header into the air, thwarting Cooper, fell invitingly for him.

Macleod came close just before the hour mark, curling just wide of the far post, having cut into the penalty area after Aaron Donnelly picked him out on the right with a fine pass.

Rory Macleod scored his second goal of the season, the other also came in a win over Queen's Park in September, to win three points for the Pars. (Image: Craig Brown.)

The scorer's blushes were spared shortly afterwards when an offside flag was raised, after fired a shot off Mitchell when played in one-on-one by Adams, as a second goal continued to elude the Pars.

Donnelly saw a deflected attempt held by Mitchell, either side of a pair of blocked Tod shots, before Adams was carded for what referee, Colin Steven, felt was a dive as he tried to drive beyond Ricki Lamie inside the box.

Oyirwoth, and substitute, Callumn Morrison, both had shots thwarted by Spiders defenders, before the visitors had a scare late on when ex-Par, Callum Smith, couldn't take advantage of a fine Aiden McCallion cross across their penalty area.

Oxborough comfortably stopped a Smith effort in the final minute, but Dunfermline saw the game out, and claimed an important three points.

Queen's Park: Mitchell, Mauchin, Lamie, Pignatiello, Martin (Todorov 83), McLean, Shiels, McCallion, Ruth (Smith 57), Connolly, Stewart (McDonnell 57).

Subs not used: Longridge, Goldie, Rodger, Lawson, Brannan, Sliwinski.

Booked: Martin (15), McDonnell (90).

Pars: Oxborough, Lobban, Abdulai, Donnelly, Fraser, Amade, Oyirwoth (Gilmour 88), A. Tod (Thomas 88), Cooper (Morrison 74), Macleod, Adams (Shaw 74).

Subs not used: J. Tod, Kearney, Corbally, Bray, Dibaga.

Goal: Macleod (18).

Booked: Fraser (42), Adams (68).

Referee: Colin Steven.

Attendance: 838.