Reece McAlear and Liam Smith both scored their first goals for Saints this afternoon as an injury time strike from Andrew Tod denied Simo Valakari’s side all 3 points at the KDM Group East End Park.
Dunfermline took the lead on 8 minutes when Barney Stewart brilliantly turned home a Matty Todd cross at the near post.
Saints fought back and they were back on level terms on the half an hour mark thanks to a brilliant 30-yard free kick from McAlear.
Saints completed the turnaround on 66 minutes as Smith turned home a cutback from McAlear.
However, the Pars refused to give up and as the match entered stoppage time they scored a late equaliser when Andrew Tod’s strike took a wicked deflection off Morgan Boyes to take it past Toby Steward in a frenetic finale.
Next up for Saints is a home game against Queen’s Park next Saturday, kick off 3pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints made the short trip down the M90 today to take on Dunfermline Athletic at the KDM Group East End Park. Saints comfortably defeated Airdrieonians 3-0 last Saturday and Simo Valakari made one enforced change to the side which started at McDiarmid Park as Kai Fotheringham came in to replace Josh McPake who missed out due to illness. A Barney Stewart strike just before half time saw Dunfermline defeat Ayr United at Somerset Park last Friday night and Pars manager Neil Lennon made three changes to his starting eleven for this afternoon’s William Hill Championship match. Deniz Mehmet dropped to the bench and he was replaced between the sticks by Billy Terrell whilst Chris Hamilton and Rory Macleod also dropped to the bench and were replaced by Jefferson Cáceres and Alfons Amade.
Before the match got underway there was an act of Remembrance on the pitch for Remembrance weekend as Jim Leishman and Adam Webb laid wreaths on the centre circle.
PHOTO: Saints Chairman Adam Webb and Dunfermline Athletic Chairman Jim Leishman lay wreaths prior to kick off
Alfons Amade got the match underway for the hosts and the Pars would make a bright start to the match as they were ahead after 8 minutes. A low cross from the right by Matty Todd was met by Barney Stewart at the near post and the on-loan Falkirk forward flicked the ball past Toby Steward and into the net.
Dunfermline came close to doubling their lead 10 minutes later as Todd played a short corner to Robbie Fraser whose cross into the box was met by Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen at the back post but the defender couldn’t direct his header on target.
On 21 minutes a Liam Smith cross from the right was met by Adama Sidibeh and the Gambian sent a looping header goalwards which Pars keeper Billy Terrell brilliantly tipped around the post for a corner. Jamie Gullan took the corner from the left and his delivery was met at the back post by Morgan Boyes. The defender headed the ball back across the face of the Dunfermline goal, as Cheick Diabate got a flick on it, before the ball landed to Sidibeh however, the Saints forward wasn’t able to make a clean connection as Andrew Tod headed the ball behind for another corner.
PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh drags his shot wide
Saints were coming more into the game and you sensed a goal was coming as on 27 minutes Sidibeh sent a lower powerful drive narrowly wide of the far post. Then 2 minutes later Saints were awarded a free kick after Reece McAlear was fouled by Charlie Gilmour, who was booked by referee Ross Hardie. After receiving medical treatment McAlear got up to take the free kick and the midfielder sent a stunning effort from 30 yards past Terrell and into the top corner of the net to bring Saints level.
A misjudgement by Terrell on 33 minutes let in Sidibeh however, Nurudeen Abdulai was able to get back to turn the ball behind for a corner. The Gambian International got another sight of goal on 37 minutes but no one in a Saints shirt could get on the end of his powerful drive across the Dunfermline box.
A mix-up at the back for Saints between Diabate and Steward just before half time almost let in Stewart however, Diabate was able to get back and made a last-ditch tackle to turn the ball behind for a corner.
PHOTO: Reece McAlear celebrates his goal
3 minutes into the second half saw a Gullan corner from the right met by Jack Baird but the defender put his header over the bar.
It was a lively start to the second half as on 52 minutes Steward made a smart save to turn a Todd effort behind for a corner.
Then a minute later play switched to the other end as Fotheringham’s cutback from the by-line was met by Smith however, Terrell was alert to the danger as he smothered the ball. Saints created another chance shortly after as Gullan headed wide from a Jonathan Svedberg cross.
Saints continued to apply pressure to the Dunfermline goal and on 63 minutes Boyes connected with a Gullan corner from the left at the back post however, the defender put his header inches wide.
The pressure from Simo Valakari’s side eventually told as they took the lead 3 minutes later. Clever play down the left saw the ball worked to McAlear and the midfielder cut the ball back to Smith who fired the ball high into the net for his first goal for the club to spark wild celebrations amongst the Saints fans in the Stand behind the goal.
PHOTO: Liam Smith celebrates his goal
Saints then made their first change of the game as Sven Sprangler replaced Kai Fotheringham. That was followed by another change shortly after as Adama Sidibeh made way for Uche Ikpeazu.
The closing stages saw the hosts push forward in search of an equaliser. With 7 minutes remaining a cross into the Saints box by Pars substitute Chris Hamilton was met by John Tod however, his header was well held by Steward. Then on 89 minutes Rory Macleod sent a dangerous ball into the Saints box however, no one in a Pars shirt was able to get on the end of the delivery from the substitute as Saints cleared their lines.
PHOTO: Kai Fotheringham gets away from Charlie Gilmour
Further changes were made by Saints as Sam Stanton and Matty Foulds came on to replace Reece McAlear and Jamie Gullan.
However, as the match entered stoppage time Dunfermline got the equaliser they craved to snatch a point from the brink of defeat. Fraser picked out Andrew Todd and the midfielder cut inside into space before unleashing a strike which took a wicked deflection off Boyes and past a stranded Steward to ensure a share of the spoils.
Dunfermline Athletic: Terrell, Chilokoa-Mullen, Gilmour (Oakley-Boothe 75’), Todd (Ritchie-Hosler 90+3’), Cáceres (Macleod 75’), Amade (Hamilton 67’), Abdulai, Stewart (Bray 75’), A. Tod, J. Tod, Fraser
Unused Substitutes: Mehmet (GK), Munn (GK), Otoo, Fisher,
Booked: Gilmour, Hamilton
Scorers: Stewart (8’), A. Tod (90+1’)
Saints: Steward, Diabate, Boyes, Holt, Svedberg, Sidibeh (Ikpeazu 81’), Gullan (Foulds 89’), Baird, Fotheringham (Sprangler 72’) Smith, McAlear (Stanton 89’)
Unused Substitutes: Thomson (GK), Tumilty, Forrester, Wanner, Franczak
Booked: Holt, Diabate, McAlear
Scorers: McAlear (30’), Smith (66’)
Referee: Ross Hardie
Attendance: 6,894 (1,578 Saints fans)
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Reece McAlear gets his shot past Charlie Gilmour
