Chalmers recovers to unpick defences as Pars power to the top

A chorus of boos rained down from the East End Park stands as Alloa Athletic player Ross Maciver’s penalty hit the back of the net.

A win over the 90 minutes would have taken Dunfermline Athletic into the knockout stage of the Premier Sports Cup.

No one was to know at the time but a penalty shootout win would have too.

A lot of the ire was aimed at Joe Chalmers, who missed the crucial spot-kick.

Yet he has been key to the Pars’ rise to the top of League One.

One of the features of Chalmers’ play is how well he has linked with Chris Mochrie.

After Saturday’s 2-0 win in challenging conditions at Peterhead, manager James Mcpake said the opening 45 minutes had been “the best footballing performance from Dunfermline Athletic this season”.

“I’m not too bothered about whether it’s the perfect way to play,” he said.

“We assess every game and we find a way or we work on a way that we believe can win a game.

“We knew we had to play football and build from the back.”

It was thanks to Chalmers’ quick thinking the first opportunity was even there.

As everyone prepared for a free-kick to be sent into the box, the midfielder craftily slipped the ball to Matty Todd at the edge of the box.

It was Chalmers’ fifth league assist of the season and he has made notable contributions to other goals.

Joe Chalmers has been a driving force for Pars.