Neil Lennon joked that his Pars players "defy physics" after watching them extended their unbeaten run to nine games at Stenhousemuir.

Rory Macleod's fine late strike handed Athletic a deserved three points at Ochilview, and a second successive one-goal victory, to move to within four points of the Championship summit.

After being their match winner on Saturday, at Queen's Park, Macleod came up trumps again for Dunfermline with a sweetly-struck shot from the edge of the box.

It was a goal that had been coming for the visitors, who were played with an assurance and control throughout, to inflict a first home defeat of the campaign on the high-flying Warriors.

Outwith a defeat in the second leg of last season's Championship play-off final, and a Scottish Cup tie with Falkirk, Stenny hadn't lost on their own pitch since August 2025.

That showcased the significance of the win for Dunfermline, who jumped into fourth place, but it was another one where the margin of it could've been greater.

Dunfermline picked up a vital victory at Stenhousemuir. (Image: Craig Brown.)

A standout chance spurned saw Andrew Tod, somehow, divert the ball over the bar from close range, in the first half, from a dangerous Macleod centre, with Olamilekan Adams also in the vicinity.

"We do the impossible sometimes. We defy physics sometimes," Lennon said.

"I don't know, I’d need to see it again. Andy said the defender got a touch on it and scooped it up off him.

"Anyway, it's just the build-up play's fantastic.

"You just want to see the net ripple a bit more because that's what they deserve, and I thought Andy was outstanding again tonight.

"That's two stellar games he's had now. He's in a real good vein of form as well.

"It was thoroughly deserved. We played better than what I anticipated, I have to say. Coming here, they're unbeaten here, difficult night, conditions, pitch.

"We were outstanding, I thought, and thoroughly deserved the win."

Dunfermline began like a team brimming with confidence, zipping the ball about on the Ochilview plastic with an intensity and purpose.

Dylan Lobban lashed wide from outside the box after ex-Par, Gregor Buchanan, cut out a dangerous Macleod ball into his path, after which the latter had an attempt blocked from Josh Cooper's lay-off.

Tod's golden opportunity, after Cooper had released the excellent Macleod, followed, as did a tame effort from the former.

The Pars suffered a blow before the break when Cooper, shortly after firing wide of the near post, was forced off with an injury.

Aston Oxborough in their goal had been a virtual spectator, but was needed to collect a Buchanan header early in the second period, before Stenny goalie, Darren Jamieson, saved from Adams.

The former Kelty Hearts number one produced an even better stop from the resultant corner, pushing over a fine Macleod effort, and then the luckless Adams shot wide of target.

The Pars ended Stenny's unbeaten home start. (Image: Craig Brown.)

A free-kick swung into the Warriors' box caused panic, and Jamieson produced a heroic double save from Tod and Keith Bray, who had replaced Cooper, as Athletic continued to be frustrated.

Allan Oyirwoth hooked wide as chances continued to arrive but, with 14 minutes to go, Dunfermline made the breakthrough.

A cross ball into Stenny's penalty area was cleared, but only as far as Macleod at the edge of the box, who waited for the ball to drop before rifling a super shot beyond Jamieson.

To their credit, Marvin Bartley's side rallied in the closing stages, and caused a real scare with four minutes to go.

Substitute, Hamzad Kargbo, leapt high to beat Oxborough to the ball and, as the pair collided, the Pars goalkeeper was relieved to see the ball come back off the post.

Louis Lloyd fired a free-kick over, and had a shot charged down by the Pars defence, as the home side's unbeaten home run ended, and Lennon's men continued their fine form.

“I'm really proud of the team, and everyone contributed," he continued.

"The starting eleven were brilliant. and the subs who came on were really good as well.

“We're in a good place at the minute.

"To come here and play as well as we did was beyond my expectation, and it speaks volumes for the mentality of the team as well.

"We had control, energy, quality, physicality, all the things you have to have when you come here, and then we played. We didn't half play well.

"We created umpteen chances, first half and second half. We just said, 'look, be patient, you've just got to believe the goal will come', and it did.

"It's no more than we deserved.

"I would really like us to be a few goals more ahead at times, because they make life difficult for you in the last 10 minutes. It just keeps the opposition in the game.

"But the standard and the quality of football and the fluidity of the team is exemplary."