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Before the match, both sets of coaching staffs and players lined-up to join in on a heartfelt round of applause as the clubs and supporters paid tribute to the former Scotland manager, Craig Brown, who died earlier this week at the age of 82.

The manager began the game with a 4-4-2 formation which featured five trialists and first starts for summer signings Will Gillingham in central defence and Kyle Connell up front. There was also a welcome return for Fraser Fyvie, who was out injured for the second half of last season.

Scott Fox, Mark Reynolds and Connor Scully made up the starting eleven.

The team, wearing our new away strip, more than held their own in the first half, reaching the interval with a 1-0 lead thanks partly to a defensive mix-up. Dunfermline goalkeeper Max Little was slow to clear his lines, and when he did react, after being closed down by our trialist striker, the ball rebounded off the number 19 and rolled into the unguarded net.

There were half a dozen changes for the second half with Balint Demus replacing Scott Fox in goal and debuts for recent captures Sena and Rumarn Burrell. Jason Naismith and Iain Vigurs were also introduced along with a sixth trialist. Gillingham, Reynolds, Scully, Fyvie and Connell were the outfield players who made way.

Two further trialists were brought into the action on the hour mark, bringing the total fielded on the night to eight, and Luke Strachan was handed his first appearance for the club.

Cove played out the last twenty five minutes with ten men, the goalscorer being forced off with what looked like cramp, but they might have doubled their lead soon after, Rumarn Burrell skipping away from three defenders before unleashing a powerful strike from the edge of the box which was well saved.

Dunfermline were inexplicably awarded a penalty in the 77th minute for a foul which was clearly outside the box. Craig Wighton stepped up, but Demus dived low to his left to pull off a superb one-handed save to deny the striker.

The visitors did draw level in the final ten minutes when trialist Paul McGowan netted from close range.

Over the piece, it was a good showing against our Championship opponents, and Paul Hartley declared himself happy with the ninety minutes:

“It was pleasing seeing the overall work rate of the players, and they’ll feel the benefit of that. They’ve done a hard shift in training, but getting game time is important, and that was a useful exercise. I’m not a big fan of pre-season games, but you need them: it’s all about upping the fitness.

“As for the trialists, it’s nice to have a look at them, it’s important you don’t judge the players too early but I thought some of them showed up well. They’ll get another opportunity against Formartine on Saturday.”

Paul was also full of praise for Balint Demus, who has had to be patient since joining the club, and caught the eye in the second half, particularly with his penalty save:

“He’s been with us a couple of years now, and he does have a chance. He’s benefited from going out on loan a couple of times, and has done well. We’ve got a lot of faith in Bal and I was pleased for him tonight.”

The team will next be in action on Saturday afternoon, a 1.00PM kick-off against Formartine United. Tickets can be bought at the Cove Rangers FC website.

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