East Fife 0-2 Peterhead

Aug 3 2008 Chris Sanderson At Bayview

PETERHEAD welcomed title favourites East Fife to the Second Division then handed them a massive reality check. The Fifers raised the flag after last season's championship triumph but by the end of 90 minutes had surrendered three points.

First-half strikes by Graeme Sharp and Craig Gunn sent the New Bayview side crashing to a Peterhead outfit well worth their victory.

Star striker Martin Bavidge reckoned his men handed out a lesson in the art of finishing.

He said: "This result will raise a few eyebrows as a lot of people are tipping East Fife for big things. We were under a bit of pressure in the second half but took the chances when they came our way."

Peterhead boss Neale Cooper hailed his side's super show and said: "It's a brilliant start to come here and win. I'd have settled for a draw but to take maximum points is superb.

"It's perhaps the best performance since I took over as manager."

Peterhead started well and twice an offside flag saved the Fifers' bacon. East Fife started to find their feet and Stevie Crawford tested keeper Michael Kula in the 14th minute.

Then Goran Stanic picked out Crawford who flicked the ball into Chris Templeman's path but the big striker's shot cannoned off defender Martin Skinner to safety.

The Fifers had a major let-off in the 29th minute when Sharp raced down the flank and scooped over a cross that Stuart MacKay flashed narrowly wide.

Thirty seconds later the home side weren't so lucky as Peterhead deservedly broke the deadlock.

Gunn showed Paul Nugent a clean pair of heels down the flank and fired over an inchperfect cross that Sharp rifled past Willie McCulloch with the aid of a deflection.

Deep in first-half stoppage time the Highlanders extended their lead.

Neil McVittie robbed Bobby Linn in the middle of the park and teed up Gunn to slam No.2 past McCulloch from 25 yards.

Home boss Dave Baikie sent out his side for the second half hoping a cavalier approach would get them back into the game.

But Peterhead's counter-attacking football caused problems with Bavidge looking particularly dangerous

After 56 minutes Sharp picked up a quick throw-in from Danny Moore and fired in an effort that McCulloch saved.

Play quickly switched to the other end and the Fifers missed a great opportunity to haul themselves a lifeline.

Stanic used his experience to float in a near-post cross that found Crawford in acres of space but the veteran striker dragged his free header wide of the target.

The home side were piling on the pressure and missed another chance after 68 minutes.

Kevin Fotheringham lined up Jonathan Smart with a header that Peterhead keeper Kula was pleased to palm to safety at the expense of a corner.

Again the Fifers tried to breach a stubborn defence but the visitors held on to take a deserved three points.

Gutted Baikie said: "It was a frustrating afternoon.

"I thought their first goal was a bit fortunate and the second was avoidable but it's a learning curve for us.

"We had bad bounces at both ends but that's football."