Joe punching for Pars

Joe Cardle spent Friday night on the phone to his father while his younger brother Scott took on his second professional boxing bout. Not the most relaxing of pre match routines

Joe Cardle spent Friday night on the phone to his father while his younger brother Scott took part in his second professional boxing bout. Not the most relaxing of pre match routines but the fighting spirit was prevalent when the elder Cardle brother took to the stage for the Pars against Aberdeen. Scott Cardle (22) secured a points victory when he faced Johnny Greaves in the Echo Arena on Merseyside and the perfect weekend for the Cardle family was completed with the defeat of Aberdeen, Joe claimed that he had taken the inspiration from his brother's success:-

"The fighting spirit was certainly in there from me too. As the season comes to a close I am fighting for my place in the SPL. We speak to each other every day and it was horrible not being there, I normally go to all his fights. He is coming up to spend a few days up here. For his second fight I thought he did really well and it spurred me on for the game."

Joe delivered the first blow, shooting Dunfermline into a 56th minute lead and continued by delivering the ball that Andy Kirk headed past Jamie Langfield to make sure the points win would be the Pars. A personal pleasure for Joe but one he felt the loyal East End Park supporters were overdue:-

"It was nice to get the three points but to get the home win is brilliant. I think it has come at a vital time of the season and hopefully that can push us on now in the last three games. Right from Chris Smith at the back to Andy Kirk up front we put in a great performance and I thought the spirit was tremendous.

"There was nothing in it between the teams in the first half but in the second half the first goal changed the game for us. It gave us that little bit of confidence and we pushed on and got the other two. I am happy with the second half performance.

"Even though it was only a point last week, I still think it put pressure on Hibs. With them playing on a Sunday it is better for us because we can put the points on the table. They know what we have got and have to compete with us. We have got the points today and hopefully they slip up again tomorrow."