Dunfermline: Matty Todd gives reaction to Kelty Hearts win

PARS super sub Matty Todd is hopeful that they are heading in the right direction after he helped them turn their SPFL Trust Trophy tie with Kelty Hearts around.

The dymanic 23-year-old was an early replacement for the injured Dapo Mebude, who was making his first start since joining the club, and grabbed an assist, and then his first goal of the season, to send Dunfermline into the quarter-finals.

They had to come from behind against their near neighbours, after Craig Johnston had given the League One leaders a 15th minute advantage, but it ended a run of three games without a win in all competitions.

After two successive league defeats, Athletic drew at Airdrieonians before edging out their victory over Michael Tidser's side, and, when asked if their fortunes were turning, Todd replied: "Yeah, absolutely.

"I think as you say, we've had a wee bit of a sticky patch after the Raith Rovers game (a 2-0 win last month), but now looking at it, it's a good point last weekend, and through to the next round of the cup this weekend.

"We've just got to build ourselves back up again next week and go for three points against Morton (on Saturday). We're just looking up now."

Dunfermline, though, were looking at a potentially difficult afternoon against the high-flying 'Maroon Machine', who arrived at KDM Group East End Park high on confidence after a 5-1 thrashing of Queen of the South at Palmerston.

However, they were shorn of several key players through injury and unavailability, such as goalkeeper, Ruairidh Adams, and defender, Sam Harding, who were both cup-tied after playing for parent club Dundee United's 'B' side earlier in the tournament.

In the build-up to the tie, Pars assistant boss, Dave Mackay, said that he felt there wasn't a massive gulf between the teams, and that his side couldn't afford to take Kelty lightly - and, in the 15th minute, they showed why.

Ross Cunningham received the ball in plenty of space and, from around 25 yards, unleashed a fierce strike at goal.

Deniz Mehmet did well to save and push the ball away, but Johnston was quickest to react, and slotted home from inside the six-yard box for his fourth goal of the season.

Having lost Mebude to a nasty gash on his shin moments earlier, the home fans in the crowd could be forgiven for fearing the worst.

However, whilst Kelty's goalscorer flashed a header wide, their team responded well, and pulled level eight minutes after going behind.

Todd was the creator, sending over a fine cross from the left which found the head of Chris Kane, who guided the ball into the net from close range for his second goal in as many games.

Chris Kane's header brought Dunfermline level. (Image: Craig Brown.)

From then on, Dunfermline took a grip of proceedings, with Todd and Kane both having attempts at goal, before the former turned the tie on its head.

Kane began the move, sending the ball forward to Todd, who spread it wide on the right to Craig Wighton.

The Pars number 10 continued his run into the penalty area as Wighton crossed to the far post, where Joe Chalmers did superbly to cushion the ball into Todd's path, and he made no mistake from close range.

Todd's winning goal was his first of the season. (Image: Craig Brown.)

That came just after the half-hour mark and, from there on, the home side were in control.

They had the ball in the net for a third time in a second half which saw little action, but them retain possession and keep Kelty camped in their own half for large spells, but Kane was judged to have been offside before finishing.

Cunningham did flash a free-kick just wide for the visitors, but it was Dunfermline who progressed into the draw for the last eight, which satisfied assistant boss Mackay, particularly after they fell behind.

"I thought we did respond really well," he commented.

"Obviously losing Dapo early as well and the stoppage, and then conceding the goal, it wasn’t a great start for us, so the way we responded after that, I thought we did really well.

Dapo Mebude was subbed off for Todd with injury. (Image: Craig Brown.)

"We controlled the vast majority of the game and limited them to very little, to be honest. I was pleased with how we played from that point onwards after the goal.

"We could have done with a third goal. We did score a third one and it was very close. It possibly was just onside, when you're looking at the footage.

"It’s one of them where VAR would have to go into play, it was that tight, but it was a really good bit of play.

"I thought we had little passages of play that were really pleasing, with a lot of improvements in what we've seen in the last few weeks, in terms of looking after the ball.

"Obviously, when you get to the final third, you want to create a few more chances , and that final pass was missing, or the decision was maybe a little bit off.

"But we can't be too critical, I thought the players done really well.

"After going a goal behind I thought the response was excellent."

Kelty player / boss Tidser, who didn't play because of a calf issue, said: "I thought we started the game really well, obviously got our goal, and then we have a wee dip.

"We're probably not as brave as we should be. To be fair, they're a good side, they press well, probably better than most teams in our league. But then, going into the second half, they dominated for larger spell, but in saying that,) I've literally got 14 players out there.

"My goalie's not played much, (Callum) Flatman's coming back, wee Billy's (Owens) not played much, Robbie Cole's not played, so, the positives for me today, as defeatist as it sounds, is getting through the game without any injuries and then the loan boys will come back next week, myself will come back.

"Listen, I don't like getting beat, but the boys done enough to show that, you know, they're good enough to come and play, and it's something for us to build on."