The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
No case for the defence as boss Johnston blasts poor Pars
DUNFERMLINE 0 INVERNESS CT 3
Pars manager Allan Johnston was not a happy man as he watched his side fall apart in the second half, finishing up on the end of a 3-0 defeat at home to Inverness.
Johnston said: “You can’t afford to defend the way we are at the moment. Mistakes are costing us.
“You look at the three goals – they are poor goals again.
“We are giving teams a massive advantage and it means we are chasing games and being left open.”
The first half showed none of the signs of what was to come as neither side could exert any real control of the game.
The hosts created the best of the chances with the most notable falling to the feet of Myles Hippolyte whose thunderous effort was tipped onto the bar by Caley goalie Mark Ridgers in athletic fashion.
The only other incident of note was after Louis Longridge was fouled, Inverness captain Carl Tremarco decided to square up to Longridge.
Hippolyte charged over to defend his team-mate, with Tremarco and Hippolyte finding their way into the book for their efforts.
The second started brightly for the home men and Hippolyte again had the chance to open the scoring, inexplicably though the former Falkirk man attempting to get the ball onto his left foot, falling over in the process when one on one with Ridgers.
The Fifers were to be made to pay for this mistake only a minute later with Tom Walsh floating in a cross from the right-hand side that found Shaun Rooney unmarked to head home five minutes into the half.
Twenty minutes later and it was two. Aaron Doran this time the provider with a fantastic ball in landing on the foot of onrushing Liam Polworth who slotted home.
Johnston sent on Robbie Muirhead for his debut but he could make no impression as it was Thistle who would put the game to bed with seven minutes remaining.
Doran again the provider this time with a deft flick that left George Oakley running through on goal. Oakley making no mistake with a controlled finish into the bottom right corner to all but empty East End.
Johnston will be looking for answers as his side sit eighth with only three points from four games having conceded 12 goals in the process.