Dunfermline: Pars win at Albion Rovers in Viaplay Cup

DUNFERMLINE moved to the top of their Viaplay Cup group with a victory at Albion Rovers this evening to keep them in qualification contention.

Josh Edwards' first half drive, late goals from Craig Wighton, and substitute, Taylor Sutherland, gave James McPake's Championship side all three points against their Lowland League opponents, who made them work hard for the victory.

Whilst the Pars were the better side over the piece, the hosts did have a couple of opportunities - mainly through the impressive Joe Bevan - after they fell behind in the opening 45 minutes, and McPake admitted to feeling "disappointed" with his team's overall show.

There were chances to put the tie to bed before Wighton's first competitive goal of the campaign - Andrew Tod had an effort saved, and Lewis McCann hit the upright - but it was a case of job done for Athletic, with Sutherland's effort adding icing to the cake.

They will now wait for the result of tomorrow's match between Kilmarnock and Raith Rovers, and the weekend's final round of matches - with Pars inactive, having played all of theirs - to see if they can qualify outright, or go through as one of three best-placed runners-up.

"We made it harder than we had hoped," said McPake.

"Fair play to Albion Rovers, but we weren't good enough.

"You can't just approach games in a manner that you have a divine right to win it.

"You seen the difference when Kyle Benedictus came on, Joe Chalmers came on - great for Taylor Sutherland as well. Andrew Tod was excellent.

"But that's not what I expected, I expected more."

After Saturday's loss at home to Kilmarnock, McPake made two alterations to his starting line-up.

Captain, Kyle Benedictus, and midfielder, Joe Chalmers, dropped to the bench, with Rhys Breen and Paul Allan coming in.

The Wee Rovers, bossed by former Pars player, coach and assistant manager, Sandy Clark, were looking to build some momentum for their maiden Lowland League campaign, after their relegation last season from League Two, following defeat by Spartans in the pyramid play-off final.

After losing at Raith Rovers in their opener, they pulled off a surprise win at League One new boys, Annan Athletic, on Saturday, but the sizeable visiting support expected a victory from their favourites.

The first opportunities, predictably, fell their way and, after McCann lobbed wide at the near post, Aaron Comrie should have put them ahead.

Wighton released Edwards down the left and, after moving into the box, he pulled the ball back for his fellow full-back. With time to take a touch, Comrie took it first time, but hit the top of the bar from 12 yards.

Breen headed wide of the far post, with Chris Hamilton also nodding over, soon afterwards as Dunfermline dictated play, and midway through the half, they made it count.

Teenager Tod was at the heart of it, pulling the ball back well from the right and, although Wighton missed it, Edwards was there to latch on to it and drive a low, crisp effort home from the edge of the box.

Rovers, to their credit, reacted well and, almost immediately, Deniz Mehmet was called into action to palm away a Joe Bevan shot, then get down and hold another from Calum Wilson.

The visitors, at times, were sloppy in possession, and both Wighton and Comrie had unsuccessful efforts as they tried to double their lead, but the impressive Bevan broke forward and got a shot in which, whilst lacking power, required Mehmet to stop.

Benedictus was an early second half substitute for Dunfermline, coming on for Sam Fisher, after ref, Gavin Duncan, saw the funny side, and was ok, after a clearance from the visitors' backline hit him on the head.

Fisher went down the tunnel, and appeared to be holding the back of his leg, but McPake revealed afterwards he departed with a stomach bug rather than an injury, whilst Chalmers soon entered the fray in place of Hamilton.

Ross Connelly in the Albion goal then produced a good block to deny Tod, who had done ever so well to power beyond two defenders before shooting, before McCann hit the upright when he got on the end of Wighton's glancing header from a dangerous Edwards centre.

Thereafter, though, the tempo of the game dropped as Dunfermline struggled to create much against the Lowland League hosts, with their next best effort an Allan free-kick wide as the match entered the final 15 minutes.

But, with 10 minutes to go, Athletic grabbed a second when, from a throw, Chalmers headed the ball towards goal, and Wighton did well to glance a header of his own beyond Connelly and into the net.

The visitors then added gloss ton the scoreline when teenager Sutherland, on as a second half substitute, slotted home well from just inside the penalty.

Albion Rovers: Connelly, Fernie, Fagan, Wilson (Paterson 84), McMahon, Joseph, McCaw, Bevan, Duncan, Prince, Duffy.

Subs not used: McMenemy, McColl, Train, Henderson, Walker.

Booked: Fagan (82).

Pars: Mehmet, Comrie, Fisher (Benedictus 49), Hamilton (Chalmers 53), Breen, Edwards, Otoo, Tod, Allan, Wighton, McCann (Sutherland 74).

Subs not used: Fenton, Hoggan, Little.

Goal: Edwards (23), Wighton (80), Sutherland (88).

Referee: Gavin Duncan.

Attendance: 824.

Kelty Hearts 2 Montrose 0, Viaplay Cup, Group D

KELTY HEARTS recorded their second successive win as they saw off Montrose at New Central Park.

Michael Tidser's men, who defeated Edinburgh City 5-3 last midweek, adter losing their opener at home to Greenock Morton, defeated their League Two opponents thanks to goals from Tiwi Daramola and Craig Johnston.

They join Ross County, who they play on Saturday, and Morton on six points.