Dunfermline defeat Kelty Hearts in SPFL Trust Trophy tie

DUNFERMLINE fought back from a goal down to reach the SPFL Trust Trophy quarter-finals with a Fife derby win over Kelty Hearts.

The League One leaders went ahead in the 15th minute through Craig Johnston's fourth of the season, but Chris Kane levelled eight minutes later.

Then, just after the half hour mark, Matty Todd - who provided the assist for the equaliser - put Athletic ahead, having replaced the injured Dapo Mebude early on.

Michael Tidser's visitors rarely threatened after half-time as Athletic, who saw Kane have a strike chalked off for offside, controlled proceedings without creating much themselves.

It was a first win in four outings in all competitions for James McPake's side, who remain unbeaten in five league and cup meetings with their near neighbours.

There were two changes to the hosts starting line-up from the one that began last Saturday's Championship draw at Airdrieonians.

Tommy Fogarty, the on-loan Birmingham City central defender, missed out due to being on international duty with Northern Ireland's under-21s, and was replaced in defence by Sam Young.

Mebude, who came off the bench against the Diamonds, was handed his first start since signing, replacing Todd, who was named on the bench, as was Kieran Ngwenya, having missed the last two matches.

There were four alterations to the Kelty Hearts side that thrashed Queen of the South at Palmerston last Saturday to go top of League One.

Goalkeeper, Ruairidh Adams, and defender, Sam Harding, were both cup-tied after playing for parent club Dundee United's 'B' side earlier in the tournament.

Ryan Adamson and Callum Flatman replaced them, whilst player / boss Tidser, and Connor Allan, also missed out, with Billy Owens and Robbie Cole coming in to start for the visitors, who only named four substitutes.

The contest's first sight of goal came when Mebude couldn't direct a header on target from a Kane Ritchie-Hosler cross, but the new Pars signing's day was to end abruptly.

After taking a knock in a challenge, he needed to go off, to be replaced by Todd - and, in a double whammy, Dunfermline were behind two minutes later.

Ross Cunningham moved forward in space and, from around 25 yards, unleashed a stinging drive for goal.

Mehmet did well to save, but couldn't hold, and as the ball ran loose, Johnston reacted quickest to steer the ball home from six yards.

That stunned the home fans and, after Ritchie-Hosler nodded over from a Ewan Otoo centre, they had another worrying moment when Johnston flicked a header wide of target.

However, seven minutes after going behind, Dunfermline levelled matters.

Todd was the creator, sending a cross into the box and the ever-lurking Kane glanced a lovely header into the far corner from for his second goal in as many games.

Todd then attemped a first-time, cushioned side-foot volley from the edge of the box, which Adamson gathered comfortably, before Kane headed wide from another cross into the box.

However, just after the half hour mark, the Pars hit the front - and it was the man who so often has been their talisman, Todd, who got it.

It was a lovely move from the hosts, with the ball spread wide right for Craig Wighton, who crossed to the far post.

Joe Chalmers did well to cushion the ball back on the side-foot and into the path of Athletic's number 10, who finished clinically from inside the six-yard area.

Just before the interval, the hosts should have been further ahead.

Kane did the hard yards, winning the ball back after a shoulder challenge on ex-Par, Scott Mercer, who appealed for a free-kick.

None was given, allowing the Pars forward to continue into the box and square the ball for Wighton, but he couldn't find the finish.

After the break, Dunfermline were in control, retaining possession to keep Kelty contained largely within their own half, but goalmouth action was at a premium.

Ritchie-Hosler saw a shot blocked behind by visiting skipper, Tam O'Ware; Kane had the ball in the net for a second time, but was thwarted by an offside flag following Todd's through ball to him; and Chalmers tried his luck for range, but didn't trouble the target.

As the clock ticked into the final 15 minutes, neat play between Todd and Wighton saw the former played in inside the box but, with the angle against him, he drove across goal, but had no takers.

Kelty weren't too far away themselves with eight minutes to go, when Cunningham whipped a dangerous free-kick from the left towards the far post, and wasn't too far away from hitting the target.

Dunfermline, though, saw the game out to progress to the last eight.

Dunfermline: Mehmet, Comrie, Hamilton, Young, Otoo, Ritchie-Hosler, Chalmers, Clay (Wotherspoon 67), Mebude (Todd 13), Wighton, Kane.

Subs not used: Ngwenya, O'Halloran, Sutherland, Cooper, Briggs.

Goals: Kane (23), Todd (32).

Kelty Hearts: Adamson, Mercer, O'Ware, Flatman, Paterson, Cole, Owens (Thomas 69), MacIntyre, Cunningham, Williamson (Bryce 84), Johnston.

Subs not used: Brown, McGurn.

Goal: Johnston (15).

Booked: Owens (40).

Referee: Graham Grainger.

Attendance: 1,821.