The Spartans 2-2 East Fife: Greig McDonald's men stage comeback

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Greig McDonald reckons Nathan Austin will “have a big say” on how East Fife’s season will pan out after the Leven-based striker scored his first goal of the League 2 campaign last Saturday.

The forward, 29, netted the Fifers second strike against The Spartans at Ainslie Park as his team secured a point against Dougie Samuel’s side, despite going two goals down during an entertaining 2-2 draw.

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“It was great for Fash (Nathan Austin) to get the second goal and it was a great move,” manager McDonald told EFTV. “Strikers thrive on scoring goals and Fash will have a big say on how our season goes.

“We came roaring back and the guys showed that character and desire. We got a quick goal back and we then made some really positive attacking substitutions. In the end, actually looking back, I think we could have won it.

East Fife boss Greig McDonald on the touchline (Photo: Alan Murray)East Fife boss Greig McDonald on the touchline (Photo: Alan Murray)
East Fife boss Greig McDonald on the touchline (Photo: Alan Murray)

"When you look at the match as a whole, you have to be pleased to come here and get a point, especially when you are 2-0 down, even if we probably didn’t deserve to be losing by that margin at that point in the match.

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“Their first goal was their first shot at goal – that can happen but we should have done better in terms of closing the ball down. We had three or four good chances in that first half and our inter-play was nice too, we should have been winning.

“The second goal saw an inexplicable decision in the build up to not give a foul for a high boot which should have gone for us. We didn’t deserve to be two goals down and credit to the team for battling back.”

East Fife now host Forfar Athletic this Saturday afternoon as they look to leapfrog the Angus club and keep on the coattails of the top six sides, who are currently packed in at the other end of the table.

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The Fifers sit in eighth place on just six points from their opening seven outings, with the Loons above them one place by a single point.

McDonald said ahead of that match: “We are playing the long game here. Any point against a good Spartans side is welcome. We had some good games against Forfar Athletic last season. Ray (McKinnon) has recruited very well and having watched them, I know that they will be a handful. It will be a tough one but we are going into it on the back of two wins at Bayview and we want to keep that going.”