Dunfermline made one change from the line up that started against Cardiff last Saturday; Richard Huxford coming in on the left of defence for Chris McGroarty who was out with a groin strain. Wigan fielded Michael O’Neill of Dundee United and Hibs “fame” and Ex dons keeper Derek Stillie between the sticks. Stillie had a number of near things in a first half as Dunfermline missed plenty in front of the empty away stand.

Six minutes gone and Greg Shields got a cross over that Coyle nodded down for Smith who somehow manages not to convert. In the 20th minute Shields and Smith combined well to give Petrie the opportunity to miss a virtually open goal. Eight minutes later Smithy missed a goal of Brattback proportions when Huxford’s cross from the left sailed passed Stillie to a surprised Andy Smith who again failed to take the easier option.

The Pars paid dearly for that when two minutes later Bradshaw crossed from the far right for Welsh Internationalist Simon Haworth to meet on the six yard box to head passed Westie. Petrie had a chance just after that but fired wide right. Five minutes from half time a Scott Thomson corner from the right arrived at Jamie Dolan’s feet on the far side of the penalty box and this time SMITH met the cross and scored.

The second half started slowly. Lee Butler who had come on at half time for Ian Westwater saved from Haworth as he met a Barlow cross. Five minutes later Scott Thomson forced a save out of Stillie and Eddie May was denied by the keeper when the ex Well man followed up.

Dunfermline’s substitutes Graham and Nish injected some much needed pace into the match. Seven minutes to go and Petrie’s angled ball was just missed by Hamish French. A Graham corner set up Andy Smith with a shot that was blocked by Morris but from the resultant corner Graham found NISH who had cleverly made space for himself to head passed Stillie.

Not a brilliant performance from the Pars but not disastrous either. Butler certainly looked more confident than Westwater, Reid better than Saturday and Thomson again full of effort. Graham coming on at right midfield looks out of position, Dolan plays in bursts but is anonymous for spells.

DUNFERMLINE: Westwater (Butler 46); Shields, Tod, Reid, Huxford (Ireland 82); Thomson (Graham 77), May (French 77), Dolan, Petrie; Smith, Coyle (Nish 82).
Scorers: Smith (40), Nish (86).

Attendance 2000