Homework pays off with a point for East Fife

Shortly before the hour mark, the visitors were awarded a penalty and the chance to take the lead in a game which ended 0-0.

Cove talisman Mitch Megginson stepped up to take the spot kick but couldn’t find a way past Brett Long.

The East Fife keeper remained on his feet for as long as he could, stopping the ball down the middle before getting up to scramble away the rebound.

And it wasn’t simply good fortune that led to the save, Long revealing that he, fellow keeper Jordan Hart and coach Lindsay Hamilton had studied the opposition well to give themselves the best chance of making a stop should the situation arise.

Long said: “Myself, Lindsay and Jordan do a wee bit of homework on penalty-takers and set-pieces.

"The information was good.

"I stood up well and put the onus back on him and thankfully then got back up to make the double save.

"I threw myself at the rebound and took a sore one, but we’ll do anything for each other to make sure we get points on the board and keep climbing the table.”

Following on from Tuesday night’s game at Montrose, the Fifers then host Clyde in League One on Thursday and Greenock Morton in the Scottish Cup on Saturday.

"We’re unbeaten at home this season so we have turned Bayview into a bit of a fortress and hopefully we can keep it that way,” added the 23-year-old.

"It’s great to play as many games as you can.”