The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Pars edge it with disputed penalty
DUMBARTON 0 DUNFERMLINE 1
Kevin O’Hara’s firsthalf penalty was enough to see the Pa r s end their long lockdown with a Betfred Cup victory against a dogged Dumbarton outfit.
Coach Stevie Crawford declared: It’s our first competitive game in a long time, so to come away with a victory was the objective.
“If you win the first game you have a decent chance of progressing so to come away with a clean sheet is great.
“It’s never comfortable with a goal lead but I thought we were good in possession in the first half but the second half it turned into a typical cup tie.
“It’s great for Kevin to get his goal and win the game for us.”
Seven months had elapsed since either side enjoyed the cut-and-thrust of competitive football and the absence of fans made for an eerie return to action.
The Championship team dominated the opening stages and Kyle Turner forced Kevin Dabrowski into a fine right-handed save with a powerful low effort from the edge of the box on 10 minutes.
Dun ferm l ine have recruited impressively this summer and their starting line-up featured four debutants with former Scotland internationalist S teven Wh i t take r prominent in a deep-lying midfield role.
Two of those new boys – Dom Thomas and O’Hara – combined well on 12 minutes but striker O’Hara could only head into the side- netting from close range.
A cagey opening livened up when Dunfermline were awarded a controversial penalty on 25 minutes.
Ryan Dow ’s cross bounced up off Morgyn Neill’s thigh and struck his arm from close range and referee Gavin Ross , implementing the new handball rule, pointed to the spot for O’Hara to confidently strike into the bottom corner for his first goal for the club.
Former Kilmarnock man Thomas was pulling the strings for the visitors and after neat interplay involving Thomas and Celtic loanee Kerr McInroy, Turner curled an ambitious effort over the bar.
Both sides struggled to find a rhythm as the game progressed with a lack of match sharpness apparent.
The hosts were incensed on 68 minutes when the referee waved away a penalty appeal for handball after a goalmouth scramble.
Fraser Murray was handed his debut off the bench and the 20-year-old tested fellow Hibernian loanee Dabrowski with a low free-kick on 75 minutes.
Minutes later Dumbarton came agonisingly close to equalising when the impressive PJ Crossan cut in from the left before curling a delicious rightfooted strike off the post but the Pars, who had two second-half efforts chalkedoff for offside, held on for all three points.
The Fifers continue their Be tfred Cup campaign when they host Falkirk on Friday.
Elsewhere, Premiership Hamilton were shocked 3-1 by Annan.
The League Two outfit had defeated Accies on their previous two visits to Galabank, in the Scottish Cup in 2016 and the Betfred Cup two years later.
Livingston had no such trouble at Edinburgh City, winning 5-1.
Queen of the South twice came from behind against Morton before claiming a bonus point in a penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 draw.
Tom Walsh, Bruce Anderson and Dario Zanatta scored debut goals as Ayr beat Albion Rovers 5-2 in Coatbridge.