PARS 0-3 Raith Rovers, Scottish Cup, third round

DUNFERMLINE slumped to a third successive Fife derby defeat as Raith Rovers ended their Scottish Cup hopes in ruthless fashion tonight.

Jack Hamilton's first half opener was followed by two goals in five second half minutes from Sam Stanton and Lewis Vaughan to help Ian Murray's side cruise into round four.

Athletic's evening was summed up when, perhaps fortuitously, they were awarded a penalty inside the final 10 minutes, but Lewis McCann saw his effort blocked by Raith keeper, Kevin Dabrowski.

This was a painful defeat for the Pars and their supporters, many of whom disappeared into the city evening long before the final whistle, and they will need to lift themselves for an important Championship clash at home to Arbroath on Tuesday evening.

It's the fifth time in six seasons that Dunfermline have been knocked out of the cup at the first hurdle, , and an honest McPake said post-match that it was a deserved defeat.

"I think the scoreline reflects exactly what we deserved out the game. Raith were the better team on the night," he commented.

"I've been the one that's maybe stood here a couple of times, here and at Stark's Park, and said we didn't get out the game what we probably deserved, but certainly tonight we got exactly what we deserved."

Rovers counterpart Murray revealed his side changed formation, to a 3-6-1, that he felt spooked their opponents as they tried to find a way to be more creative than they had been in previous derby games.

"It was a 3-6-1. We had to do something to try and create more chances against Dunfermline. We found it tough the last few games and the games have been cagey," he said.

"They don't need to be because we've got so many good players. 

"Sometimes you are forced with missing players. We thought Liam Dick was going to be fit until yesterday but he wasn't. 

"Scott McGill and Dylan Corr are just back in training and we've thrown Dan O'Reilly in. The boys adapted to it really well.. 

"I asked for the players' input on the formation and I think when I explained why and how it could work, they all bought in and gave it everything."

Home boss McPake made two alterations to the starting line-up that drew with Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday, in which his side smacked the woodwork no less than eight times.

Kane Ritchie-Hosler and Matty Todd dropped to the bench, with Aaron Comrie and Alex Jakubiak coming in, as the hosts looked for a first win over their rivals this season.

In three previous meetings, a group stage Viaplay Cup draw in July - which saw Dunfermline win a penalty shoot-out bonus point - was followed by two 1-0 losses in the Championship, the second of which came courtesy of a stoppage time Sam Stanton goal at Stark's Park last month.

That result was part of an unbeaten run of eight games in all competition's for Murray's visitors heading into tonight's encounter, whilst the hosts were looking to improve on a record of one victory from their last six outings.

In the build-up, though, the Pars players, and assistant boss, Dave Mackay, expressed confidence that the performance levels shown in a late home defeat to Championship leaders Dundee United, and then in the Inverness match, could give them a good opportunity to enjoy derby success and make Sunday's fourth round draw.

Both sets of fans certainly tried to play their part, creating a lively atmosphere as the match kicked off, but it was Raith who had the game's first chance - and it was the upright that saved Athletic.

It was a good move that saw ex-Par, Aidan Connolly, cross low from the left for Hamilton, whose effort was diverted onto the post by the lurking Vaughan, as the hosts escaped.

Hamilton soon headed over from a cross delivered from deep by another ex-Dunfermline man, Ross Millen, before Rovers captain, Scott Brown, did well to track a fine run into the box by Pars wide man, Owen Moffat, and block his shot.

However, with 15 minutes on the clock, it was the Kirkcaldy side who hit the front.

Whilst it was fine play from their point of view, Dunfermline will rue that they didn't do more to stop Easton making his way into the box when he picked the ball up deep in their territory on the left.

The midfielder laid the ball on a plate for Hamilton, who had the easiest of tasks to tap home from around six yards.

The Pars tried to respond but, all too often, when they had possession, they either conceded it cheaply, or simply couldn't work the opportunity for an effort at goal against a well-marshalled Raith rearguard.

Just shy of the half hour, Callum Smith, another who came through at East End as a youngster, might have done better than sidefoot wide at the far post from another excellent Millen cross, as Dunfermline continued to be frustrated.

Moffat, who bagged a double in their first Friday night encounter of November, in a league win at Morton at the beginning of the month, tried to take matters into his own hands and make something happen.

After having a shot from range blocked, he came closest for Dunfermline right on the half-time whistle, forcing Dabrowski into a diving, if comfortable, save with a low drive from outside the box.

McPake was the first of the two managers to make a move from the bench, sending on Ritchie-Hosler and Todd for Jakubiak and Joe Chalmers seven minutes after the restart, while goalscorer Hamilton was the first man in the book moments later for a foul on Paul Allan.

Ritchie-Hosler immediately showed a glimpse of what he can do, spinning Smith before being pulled back, earning the Raith man a booking, but only after Josh Mullin's shot had been deflected by his own team-mate Hamilton on to the top of Deniz Mehmet's crossbar.

Moffat had another shot from range blocked but, in the 65th minute, they were two down.

Referee Collum played advantage for what he deemed to be a foul by Ewan Otoo, who he then booked, but penalised Sam Fisher, despite the Pars man appearing to play the ball.

From the resultant free-kick, the ball flighted to the far post fell kindly for Stanton, who fired home his third derby goal in as many games to double Rovers' lead.

That gave Dunfermline a mountain to climb, which then became insurmountable five minutes later.

Again, questions could be asked of Collum's decision to award a free-kick for a coming together between Moffat and Millen, when it looked accidental.

However, Vaughan stepped over it, and spotting a gap at the near post, he fired a fierce effort over the wall that caught Mehmet by surprise, and found the back of the net.

McCann dragged a shot wide when a decent opportunity presented itself, and then forced Dabrowski into a block at his near post, as Dunfermline tried to find something before they were given a great chance to find the net with nine minutes left.

Daniel O'Reilly challenged Sam Fisher in the air, and was penalised for it, but the Raith keeper was equal to McCann's spot-kick, diverting it over the bar.

That summed up Dunfermline's night, who were left to ponder what went wrong as Rovers celebrated a deserved place in round four.

Match stats

Pars: Mehmet, Comrie, Fisher, Hamilton, Otoo (Wighton 77), Edwards, Chalmers (Ritchie-Hosler 52), Allan, Moffat, Jakubiak (Todd 52), McCann.

Subs not used: Fenton, O'Halloran, Little.

Booked: Otoo (64).

Raith Rovers: Dabrowski, Millen, Connolly, Vaughan, Smith (McGill 86), Mullin, Stanton, Hamilton (Gullan 78), Brown, Easton, O'Reilly.

Subs not used: Corr, Hannah, Thomson.

Goals: Hamilton (15), Stanton (65), Vaughan (70).

Booked: Hamilton (54), Smith (57), Connolly (81).

Referee: Willie Collum.

Attendance: 5,243.