DUNFERMLINE 5

McManus (7, 47), Cardle (12, 22), Ross (og, 72)

PETERHEAD 1

McAllister (pen, 63)

THE Pars’ impressive early season form continued as they strolled to a comfortable victory over Peterhead at East End Park, a result which kept the Fifers at the top of their Betfred Cup section in advance of next Saturday’s Tynecastle showdown with Hearts.

Recent acquisition Declan McManus began the rout in the seventh minute, running on to Nicky Clark’s cut-back before driving a low shot past Blue Toon keeper Greg Fleming to record his first goal since joining the Pars from Fleetwood Town in the summer.

Joe Cardle made it 2-0 five minutes later, latching on to Kallum Higginbotham’s low cross before beating Fleming at the near post.

The winger recorded his second shortly afterwards, finishing off a sublime passing move involving Higginbotham and Ryan Williamson to give the home side a three-goal interval cushion.

Any possibility of a Peterhead comeback was extinguished just two minutes into the second half when McManus added a fourth with a delicate lob over the stranded Fleming.

Rory McAllister pulled one back for the visitors from the penalty spot, but an unfortunate own-goal by Scott Ross restored Dunfermline’s four-goal advantage.