East Fife booked their place in the Petrofac Training Cup quarter-finals last night with a hard-fought victory over Highland League champions Brora Rangers at Dudgeon Park.
The hosts twice took the lead but Gary Naysmith’s side showed great character to finally edge a five-goal thriller.
Gavin Morrison was first to threaten for Brora, hitting a great shot from 25 yards which was well saved by Alan Fleming.
Eight minutes later Brora took the lead when Andrew Greig was played in behind, got to the byline and played the ball across for Steven Mackay to tap home from five yards.
East Fife responded well and were awarded a contentious penalty on 31 minutes when Greig tangled with Fraser Mullen in the area.
Jon McShane squeezed the ball past Joe Malin to make it 1-1.
Brora came roaring back and five minutes later more good wing play from Greig saw him cut the ball back to Zander Sutherland, who beat his man and fired home inside the near post to put Brora 2-1 ahead.
The visitors were level again on 40 minutes when a free-kick was nodded down to McShane, who crashed the ball home on the half volley to make it 2-2 at half-time.
The second half was always going to struggle to match the drama of the first 45 and that was the case until the 71st minute when Martin Maclean headed a good chance over the bar for the home side.
Brora pushed everyone forward in search of the winner, but just when it looked like extra-time was on the cards, a goalmouth scramble in the Brora penalty area ended with Nathan Austin tapping home from close range to put the visitors in front for the first time.
East Fife held on for the little time that remained to book their place in the next round and end Brora’s 100% start to the season.