East Fife player-manager Gary Naysmith praised his side’s fighting spirit after they came through a nail-biting finale at Shielfield to take all three points with a 3-2 victory.
The winning goal, scored by Jonathan Page, came in the 93rd minute, after Darren Lavery, with his second goal of the game, had netted Berwick’s second equaliser in the first minute of injury time.
“It was only 1-0 with 15 minutes to go and I don’t think anyone saw that finish coming,” said Naysmith, who played the entire game in central defence.
“We weren’t at our best in the first half, but we got to the break at 0-0, and that might not have happened in some of our previous games.
“We were better in the second half, but in truth there isn’t a lot between the two sides. We have played each other three times already this season and every time it has been 3-2, with Berwick winning twice and us today.
“But if I am being honest, I would probably have to admit we didn’t deserve the win, although we will take the three points and move on to the next one.”
In the first half East Fife were seldom seen as an attacking threat and it was Rangers who created most of the chances.
Lee Currie had three efforts on goal, whilst Craig Dargo twisted and shot wide.
Paul Currie then had a strong penalty claim turned aside, whilst Lavery broke through and shot over from outside the box.
At the start of the second half Lee Currie brought out a fine full length save from East Fife keeper Alan Fleming.
But the Fifers were better in the second half and they stole a lead after 69 minutes when Allan Walker headed in from a free kick on the right.
Lavery levelled with a stunning equaliser with a first time shot from 25 yards out, but after 83 minutes the visitors regained the initiative through Kevin Smith with a well taken free kick from a central position which beat goalkeeper Billy Bald in the top corner.
Rangers looked as if they had salvaged a point when Lavery shot home with a low drive through a crowd of players in 91 minutes, but straight from the restart East Fife went upfield in the 93rd minute and struck a dramatic late winner through Jonathon Page, who forced the ball home in a goalmouth scramble from yet another free kick which was fumbled by Bald.
“That was all three goals conceded from free kicks,” said Berwick manager Colin Cameron.
“We also conceded two from set pieces up there a fortnight ago, so that’s five in two games, and that’s a bit of a concern.
“We have taken a couple of steps forward in recent weeks with back to back wins, but this is a step backwards for us.”