BRECHIN CITY 1 DUNFERMLINE A THLETIC 5
DUNFERMLINE took the initiative and, after 30 seconds, Rhys McCabe had a header deflected over. Gavin Reilly was next to threaten in 15 minutes when he headed wide from a Michael Paton cross.
Dunfermline took the lead in 17 minutes. A Paton corner was headed goalwards by Callum Fordyce and Lee Ashcroft nodded home. The Championship side then added a second goal in 25 minutes when Reilly’s cross forced a clearance from Dougie Hill which deflected off team-mate Willie Dyer for an own goal.
Brechin replied a minute later when Ally Love lashed a volley into the net from 25 yards.
Just before half-time, Nicky Clark played in Andy Geegan and home keeper Graeme Smith did well to save at his feet.
Dunfermline gave themselves some breathing space with a third goal four minutes into the second half. McCabe got away on the left and his cutback was sidefooted home by Paul McMullan.
Brechin refused to give up and in 52 minutes a drive from Love was turned for a corner by David Hutton.
Clark was keen to grab a goal on his Dunfermline debut and, in quick succession, he was denied by Smith, then sent a shot and a header wide of the target.
Dunfermline added No 4 in 80 minutes when Reilly robbed Gareth Rodger and slotted the ball past Smith.
The visitors put icing on the cake with a fifth goal in added time. Kallum Higginbotham swung in a free-kick and Ashcroft headed his second of the game.