EAST FIFE 2 Page (38), McManus (pen 50) PETERHEAD 1 Brown (25)

EAST FIFE came from behind to extend their lead at the top of Group A with a deserved win over Peterhead.

Despite Bayview boss Gary Naysmith admitting he’d be using the Betfred League Cup as an extension of pre-season, the Fifers have really impressed in the competition so far.

Jim McInally’s Blue Toon beat Forfar 2-0 in the only game they’d played in the group, so both sides went into the game in good form.

But it was a tentative start with neither having much to shout about early on.

Rory McAllister failed to get hold of his shot with the Fife goal in his sights, while, at the other end, Kyle Wilkie’s speculative effort from range dipped wide.

Peterhead took the lead on 25 minutes when Willie Muir couldn’t hold Rory McAllister’s free-kick. Jordon Brown was first to react, tapping home the loose ball.

The Fifers were level before the break, though, with Jonathan Page getting up well in the box to head home a Mark Lamont corner.

They started the second half well and took the lead within five minutes of the re-start when Kevin Dzierzawski bundled over Ross Brown in the box.

Ref Kevin Graham pointed straight to the spot and veteran Fife striker Paul McManus stepped up and sent Graeme Smith the wrong way.

Peterhead tried to get back into the game but an injury to talisman McAllister seemed to knock the stuffing out of them.

With their three subs used, McAllister was forced to stay on the park and hobble his way through to the 90minute mark.

With the clock ticking down, debutant Kevin O’Hara almost wrapped up the win with a stunning longrange drive which sailed inches past the post.