East Fife 2-1 Dumbarton

Dumbarton arrived in Methil in decent form and, had they won and results elsewhere went their way, could have hit the top of League One.

That in itself demonstrated how tough the game was likely to be, and that’s exactly how it turned out.

East Fife’s strength in this game was the start they made as they aimed to stamp their authority on their home patch.

They started at a terrific pace, taking the game to Dumbarton and, crucially, the first to every loose or second ball.

There was a clear appetite that this would be their day.

It took them only 17 minutes to edge ahead with a really well worked goal.

Playing out from the back, the Fifers worked the ball wide to Kevin Smith on the left wing.

He whipped a terrific cross into the box which was met flush by an unmarked Jack Hamilton who sent his header beyond Kevin Dabrowski.

It was an excellent way to open the scoring but Dumbarton are no mugs and reacted well to Hamilton’s opener.

They enjoyed a decent spell of possession and forced a couple of corners but, even at this early stage of the game, the Fifers were showing just how much a win would mean to them as they defended deep and defended well.

Jordan Hart’s goal remained untroubled while, at the other end, Ryan Wallace and Pat Slattery went close to doubling the home side’s lead.

The visitors started the second half really well and should have pulled level within a couple of minutes of the re-start.

Jamie Wilson’s cross was met six yards out by Ross Forbes.

Forbes should have done a lot better with his effort but failed to get a decent connection on his shot and fired well wide.

But the midfielder did a lot better shortly after the hour mark when he had a hand in Dumbarton’s equaliser.

His thunderbolt of a free-kick stung Jordan Hart’s hands as he palmed the ball onto the crossbar.

First to react was Wilson who prodded home from close range.

It was a kick in the teeth for the home side but they were determined not to settle for just the one point.

Only a few minutes after Dumbarton’s leveller, East Fife grabbed a deserved winner when Pat Slattery’s cross was controlled nicely by Ryan Wallace who sent a looping shot over Dabrowski.