U19s v St Johnstone

With Smith and Moncrieff out Pars recorded a remarkable cup win. Millen red card (35); McIntosh (54) 0-1; Drummond (68) 1-1; Henderson (86) 2-1.

DUNFERMLINE 2 ST JOHNSTONE 1

MATCH PICTURES
Dunfermline faced St Johnstone in the Third Round of the Scottish Youth Cup at East End Park on Sunday lunchime. The Pars were without the injured Fraser Moncrieff, Allan Smith and Jack Bruce but were in confident mood after a comfortable 4-2 away win over Inverness Caley Thistle in midweek.

Both sides had early chances with Chris Hackland and Shaun Byrne both sending efforts over the bar while at the other end a swift St Johnstone counter through Scott Gray set up Ryan Hutchinson with a chance but he sent it over the top as well and into the McCathie Stand.

Saints keeper held a Ross Drummond cross on 20 minutes but neither keeper had much to do. Kerr Young headed well wide left from a Ross Millen free kick Drummond won a rare corner midway through the first half but that failed to trouble the Saints defence. At the other end Caddis was on the end of a free kick but his header went straight to Ryan Goodfellow.

A 28th minute corner on the right from Scott Mercer allowed Grant Munro a pop at goal but his attempt was deflected over the crossbar.Three minutes later St Johnstone had the best chance so far. Caddis collected an overstruck cross on the right, Goodfellow punched the ball away but straight to Ricky McIntosh who crashed a shot from 15 yards that the Pars keeper redeemed himself with as he turned it on to the crossbar.

Ross Millen was then shown two yellow cards within two minutes for challenges on Gray and Hutchinson to reduce the Pars to ten men with a minimum 55 minutes of the match to go. Aidan Henry then troubled stand in right back, Scott Mercer and forced a corner from which captain Chris Moffat drilled a shot on target that Goodfellow stopped and then swept away from Craig Thomson.

Half Time: Dunfermline 0 St Johnstone 0

Recognised full back, Jamie Birnie was introduced for the second half with Chris Hackland being withdrawn. Henderson sent a good shot narrowly wide in 48 minutes while at the other end Gray lofted his effort over the bar from 20 yards.

Hutchinson made a clever chest down on halfway to send McINTOSH through the centre of the home defence and in on goal.  The Saintee made no mistake with only Goodfellow to beat and he hit the net from the edge of the box to put his side one up in 54 minutes.  Drummond immediately had a chance for an equaliser after Henderson and Birnie had created danger in the St Johnstone box. The ball was cleared to the Pars left wing back but his disappointing shot from 18 yards was pulled wide right.

Keeper Worby blocked Drummond`s run but conceded a corner and Munro was unlucky with his header when Drummond centred as the ball was glanced over the bar.  Then midway through the second half a Dunfermline equaliser. Mercer made the breakthrough bursting in on the right before picking out Byrne in the box.  He teed it up for DRUMMOND to sidefoot home at the left post.

With 73 minutes on the clock Dunfermline failed to accept a glorious opportunity to take the lead.  A ball in from the left was flicked on by Henderson and Mercer blasted over the bar from close in when it looked easier to net. The game began to look a bit more like a cup tie with Goodfellow then holding a difficult low drive from Gray.

In 86 minutes with the match heading towards extra time and even penalties Blair HENDERSON went off on a solo run from half way through the centre of the Perth side`s defence sending his shot went in off the left post to the great joy of the ten man Pars.

It was a tough end to the game as St Johnstone pumped balls into the Pars box.  McIntosh came closest when he was at the right post for a header but the ball dropped just outside the post. The Pars held on and in a remarkable fight back deservedly progressed to the next round.