Second placed Ton were in scintillating form as they annihilated the Pars at East End Park to complete a clean sweep over the pre-season title favourites.

Ton boss Duffy admitted it was one of those rare days in football on which everything just goes right for your team and he encouraged his players to enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.

He told the Tele: “That’s as comprehensive a performance as we’ve had this season. We played very well today — we were excellent.

“Other than the first 10 minutes, we were superb in every department, and that’s the difference. If all departments click then you are a good side.

“You don’t get that too often, but today everybody was terrific. Defensively, we were superb. The midfield were really creative and industrious, and up front we were always a threat.

“So when you get all those elements together you’re a difficult side to play against, and I think we proved that by scoring four.

“I don’t think anyone could deny it was a comprehensive victory coming here to a very difficult place against a very tough side to play against.

“It’s about enjoying this weekend. I said that to the players in there. I didn’t even mention next week in there – that’s for managers to think about. Players can enjoy it.

“It’s not often you get as comprehensive a victory and as pleasing a performance, so I think they’re entitled to enjoy it.” Such was the Greenock men’s superiority, home goalkeeper Ryan Scully came in for praise from his gaffer John Potter after keeping the score down with a string of saves.

When it was put to the Ton boss that his side might well have won by a greater margin, he was typically respectful.

Duffy replied: “We might have had one or two more but I’m not going to be churlish and say that because if you win 4-0 away to Dunfermline, you have got to be delighted with that.

“And I’m absolutely thrilled for the players because I think they put so much effort in today and got the rewards.” Stefan McCluskey opened the scoring in the final minute of the first half, and Duffy felt the goal came at an ideal time.

He said: “The goal before half-time [was important]. It didn’t change my team talk at half-time that much because I thought we were playing well.

“Obviously it gives you a little bit more confidence and leaves you a little bit more relaxed, and you know that Dunfermline have to then push in the second half.

“That leaves space and we exploited the space. That’s about taking care of the ball in the final third and we managed to do that.

“When we won the ball, when we won possession in the middle third, we went and linked up. Like Ross [Forbes] at the first goal.

“He waited until the defender came and then put a perfectly weighted pass to Stefan [McCluskey], who has scored with a lovely finish. The last goal is an exceptional effort by Mark [Russell] but the other two goals are about picking the right pass at the right time.

“We did that more often than not today. Overall, it was a really top-class performance – but it doesn’t do anything other than keep the confidence going.

“It’s just another game – a tough away match down – and we’re happy to have three points and keep ourselves in the mix.”