Livingston fell to their first defeat of the league season, following a poor performance to Dunfermline, finishing 3-0 at East End Park.

The Lions made two changes from the team that sunk Raith with a last-minute winner on Saturday, with the suspended Danny Wilson making way for Dan Finlayson and Liam Sole replacing Tete Yengi.

The hosts worked fast to create the first chance of the game after only two minutes, with Dapo Mebude’s quick footwork working himself into space, however his attempt was poor and well off target.

The Lions replied almost instantly, with a long throw causing all sorts of problems for the Dunfermline back line, trickling its way to Liam Sole, who blasted over the bar from about six yards out under pressure.

With 7 minutes on the clock, Dunfermline blasted themselves into the lead. A clearance from the Lions was headed straight back towards the Livi goal, where Chris Kane latched on from what appeared to be an offside position. His initial shot was saved well by Jerome Prior, however the rebound fell straight back to the Pars striker, who didn’t need another chance to bury low to the left of Prior for 1-0.

And it was the Pars who were applying the pressure for the second goal, and came close on fourteen minutes, a low blasted cross from Lewis McCann to Chris Hamilton allowed the defender to side foot an effort which ruffled the side netting.

Livi showed a glimpse of life midway through the first half, with a nice lofted ball out left to Robbie Muirhead. The lanky winger did well to work his way to the box, however his cross was deflected into the hands of Tobi Oluwayemi.

But for the one attack from Livi came another two from Dunfermline. A free kick from midway in the Livi half was passed short to Mebude, his strike from the edge of the box easy for Prior to collect at his near post.

Livi had a wonderful chance on 34 minutes, with Matty Clarke putting a delightful through ball on to Stevie May. He raced towards goal before sending a low ball across goal, failing to link up with Liam Sole who was racing in at the back post and out for a goal kick.

Two minutes and Dunfermline thought they had increased their lead. A short free kick again found Mebude on the left-hand side. His shot was again blocked and went to Craig Clay, who’s left footed shot cannoned off the foot of the right post and away from danger.

McCann then went from creator to to finisher, a deep cross from Kieran Ngwenya finding the Pars number 11 at the back post, but his header was straight at Prior.

Into the second half and it was Lions who started the brighter of the two sides. Some nice play from Muirhead created space on the edge of the box however his shot with the outside of the right boot sailed harmlessly wide.

This was followed up by corner which found Liam Sole at the second time of asking, however he overran the ball out of play for goal kick.

Jerome Prior got himself in a bit of hot water following a poor touch. With Dunfermline enacting the high press again, it was played back to the keeper, who’s initial touch was collected by the Pars striker. Rather than retreating, Prior lunged in and felled the player what looked like inside the box. The referee decided it was outside the box and awarded a free kick rather than a penalty. The free kick was played short with the shot being blocked and out for corner.

From that corner the Pars found their second. The ball was whipped in towards the back post where Kyle Benedictus was waiting to nod home.

Livi almost pulled one back ten minutes later. Mebude fouled sub Andy Winter, with Stephen Kelly taking the free kick from the right-hand side. His cross found Michael Nottingham who was looking to re-enact his heroics from Saturday however his header was straight at Oluwayemi.

And things went from bad to worse after 70 minutes. A corner from the right found Chris Kane lurking at the front post, with his header beating everyone at the near post to make it 3-0 to the hosts.

There were small glimmers in what was a really poor game for the Lions. With around ten minutes to go, so good play between Pittman and sub Ricky Korboa allowed the later to send a lovely cross into the box, finding Clarke who’s header was glanced goalwards by Muirhead, but it was easy for the Dunfermline keeper.

Korboa then had an opportunity to land a blow on the Pars, with Andrew Shinnie finding him with a cross from the left, his header sailing over the bar.

Despite the small positives, it was still not to be for the Lions, as they fail to keep pace with Falkirk losing the game in hand they had.

Match report: David Hastie

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