After two high scoring defeats in December at the home of Dundee Stars, Dutiaume ordered his team to concentrate more on its defensive duties.

The tactics worked as Fife conceded only two goals and claimed the win.
"We ditched the run and gun game because that suits Dundee's style," he said.

"They always have guys lined up for the breakaway pass. It's an opportunistic game and there's nothing wrong with that. Fife teams have used it in the past — but it's not how we want to play.''

Dutiaume explained that the more Dundee close the gap to his side, the more he will need to find tactical solutions to overcome them.

He said: "We can get away with bullying our way to the net in some games but if we're not organised against Dundee they make you pay. We went back to basics on Sunday."

With Fife missing both Derek King and Tom Muir from defence, Dutiaume's game-plan involved icing forward Jamie Wilson as a defenceman, a position he occupied in the junior development programme.

"Jamie was a defenceman almost right up until he started with Flyers," Dutiaume said. "He was struggling a bit on the forward line this year and his ice time was limited.

"I had a talk with him about going back to defence. He's now had a few training sessions and games under his belt and he's 10 times the player he was two months ago. Guys are already starting to look at him as a leader back there.''

Fife's win, coupled with the 11-1 demolition of Whitley Bay on Saturday, has put them in pole position to win the Northern League.

Victories in the back-to-back matches against Braehead Pirates this weekend will put Flyers on the brink of the title.

Flyers are in Braehead on Saturday, welcoming the same opposition to Fife Ice Arena on Sunday.