Barry Smith was delighted with the quality of his side at both ends of the park after the Fifers reached the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.
The Methil men faced a hard task, being drawn away to runaway League One leaders Livingston, but they rose to the challenge and a stunning first half strike from Nicki Paterson earned a home tie with St Mirren next month.
Livingston threw everything they had at Smith’s men in the second half, but the Fifers defended well with keeper Ryan Goodfellow in inspired form.
The Bayview boss said: “I’m delighted for the boys because of the effort they put into the game.
“A bit of quality then wins it.
“We had to defend extremely well in the latter part of the game because Livingston were gambling.
“Ryan Goodfellow has been out for a couple of weeks, so to play as well as he did is credit to him.”
The sides ran out to a thick patch of fog but the game went ahead and it was the hosts who started brightest.
With barely 10 minutes on the clock a dangerous ball into the six-yard box was met by Rafa De Vita but somehow the Livi frontman scooped his effort over.
East Fife almost made them pay moments later when Paterson’s corner found Scott Robinson. The former Hearts midfielder had time to get his shot away but sliced wildly past the post.
Jamie Insall was next to go close for the visitors but his header was tipped over the bar by Liam Kelly.
The Fifers’ goal arrived in spectacular fashion. Kevin Smith’s cross was knocked away but the loose bell dropped kindly for Paterson who smashed a volley past Kelly.
Paterson went close again with another strike which shaved the post but the Fifers had Goodfellow to thank for keeping them ahead when he clawed away a deflected De Vita shot.
East Fife sub Mark Lamont had a glorious chance to wrap the tie up but fired straight at Kelly.
In the closing stages it was real backs- to-the-wall stuff for the Fifers and Dale Carrick smashed a shot off the bar.