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DUNFERMLINE 5 Smith (2), Ashcroft (14), Cardle (41, 90), Hopkirk (67) INVERNESS CT 1 Vigurs (18)

HIGH-SCORING Dunfermline Athletic recorded a surprisingly onesided victory over a disappointing Inverness side.

The Fifers had scored 11 goals in their previous two home games before conceding six at Ibrox in midweek, but there was no hangover from that Betfred Cup hammering.

The Pars went two ahead yesterday through boy wonder Callum Smith and defender Lee Ashcroft before veteran Iain Vigurs pulled one back for Caley, all within the opening 18 minutes.

Joe Cardle restored the two-goal buffer shortly before half time after Kallum Higginbotham shredded the visitors’ defence.

Then a lethal 67th-minute finish from David Hopkirk scuppered any prospect of an Caledonian Thistle fightback.

Cardle’s second of the afternoon added further gloss in the final minute, lifting the Pars up to second place in the Championship, behind leaders Dundee United.

“Everybody was judging us today after losing to Rangers, but the players showed real quality and belief, and that just sums up their character,” said Pars boss Allan Johnston.

“It was a really good team performance, so it’s difficult to single people out.

“But Callum Smith is only 17 and he’s going to be a big player for this club with his energy and composure.

“It would be nice to keep this run going, but we need to keep working as hard as we did today.”

Despite being ranked among the promotion favourites following relegation from the Premiership in May, Caley Thistle are stuck at the bottom of the Championship after losing their opening two games.

Manager John Robertson admitted: “It’s annoying, disappointing and embarrassing.

“It’s also a reality check and a stark warning to us because the same thing happened to St Mirren last year.”