Livingston 1-0 PARS, Premier Sports Cup, Group E

DUNFERMLINE are on the verge of a Premier Sports Cup exit after they suffered their second Group C defeat against Livingston.

Ex-Par Robbie Muirhead's 11th minute goal gave David Martindale's side the three points, sending the visitors to a second loss in the space of four days.

Chris Hamilton's header over the bar in the first half, and a Lewis McCann drive from 18 yards in the second, was as close as the visitors came to an equaliser.

They couldn't find it and, with just one game to play, at home to Cove Rangers next Saturday, James McPake's side are all-but out.

They have three points, whilst Livi top the section with six, with two games to play, whilst Forfar Athletic, who stunned Dunfermline on Tuesday, sit second with four.

The Spartans, who the Pars defeated last Saturday, are third on goal difference from the Pars, whose boss said: "Obviously disappointed with the result, it's a defeat.

"I can't ask any more in terms of effort from the players. I thought that was there today. As a group we were heavily criticised, I was pretty critical of the players after Tuesday night, but we knew this was always going to be a tough game.

"It was a gauge, not that we need it, because we've been in this league long enough, just to see what Championship football was going to be like.

"We could compete. I think the game lacked quaity, all throughout really. It was two teams fighting for the points - unfortunately, Livingston got them."

There was one change to the visitors' starting line-up from Tuesday's defeat, with Rhys Breen returning for Taylor Sutherland.

As McPake indicated ahead of the match, forward, Chris Kane, again missed out on the match day squad, as did new signing, Kai McLean, as the goalkeeper's registration didn't go through in time following his arrival yesterday.

Craig Wighton, however, did return on the substitutes bench as the Pars not only went in search of a reaction to that damaging Loons loss, but a win to keep their hopes of progression into the last 16 alive.

It was the visitors who had the first sighter of goal, with David Wotherspoon having an effort blocked after checking inside his man inside the box, but Livingston found themselves ahead with their first effort.

Stephen Kelly played the ball in behind the Pars rearguard and, after Deniz Mehmet came off his line to try and gather, before appearing to hesitate, Muirhead got there first to poke Livi ahead.

That was all that there would be between the sides after an opening 45 minutes which was largely even, with little in the way of goalmouth action.

Ewan Otoo headed a good cross from Wotherspoon back across goal at the far post, but well wide, for Dunfermline, who then fashioned a half-chance for Kane Ritchie-Hosler.

Sam Fisher headed the ball back into the home penalty area during a period of Pars pressure and, although it fell to the winger 12 yards out, the ball didn't drop quickly or kindly enough for him to have a clean strike, with his effort looping high in the air for keeper Shamal George to catch.

Matthew Clarke and Olly Green had shots blocked at the other end, before Mehmet was needed to make a decent stop to deny Liam Sole, after Muirhead and Scott Pittman couldn't find a way past the visiting defence.

As the interval approached, Hamilton did well to meet Breen's fine cross eight yards out, with George coming to try and claim, and was unfortunate to head over, while Kieran Ngwenya sent a hopeful half-volley well off-target.

Livi were first to threaten after the break through Muirhead, who saw a shot blocked, whilst Tete Yengi, fortunately for the Pars, was unfortunate to roll an effort wide of the far post after a long clearance from George played him in.

Dunfermline threatened at the other end when George held on to a McCann shot from 18 yards, before the hosts came agonisngly close to doubling their advantage.

Muirhead collected the ball on the right and, with the Pars backing off, he was invited to cut in on his left and curl for goal, but was unfortunate to watch his fine effort strike the bar.

Wighton, Sutherland, Andrew Tod and Joe Chalmers all entered the fray in the second half as McPake tried to find a route back into the contest for his side, but a goal wasn't forthcoming.

McCann had a header comfortably saved by George, but they had Mehmet to thank when he denied substitute, Andy Winter, with a fine stop as the game began to stretch inside the final 10 minutes.

Wighton had an effort in the final seconds, screwing the ball wide from the edge of the box, but Livi held out to leave Dunfermline's qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

Livingston: George, Clarke, McGowan, Sole (Smith 45), Pittman, Yengi (Winter 77), Kelly (McAlear 90), Brandon, Green (Nottingham 63), Muirhead (Korboa 77), Montano.

Subs not used: Jackson, Finlayson, Lawal, Prior.

Goal: Muirhead (11).

Pars: Mehmet, Comrie (Tod 69), Ngwenya, Benedictus, Hamilton, Otoo, Ritchie-Hosler, McCann (Wighton 76), Breen (Chalmers 76), Fisher, Wotherspoon (Sutherland 57).

Subs not used: O'Halloran, Young, Hoggan, McLeod, Rowe.

Booked: Benedictus (83).

Referee: Colin Steven.