Dunfermline 1 Ross County 3 

This was a rude awakening for the Pars as Ross County were clinical in front of goal to plunder all three points from East End Park.

A stunning strike from Josh Mullin gave the Highlanders the lead and although Louis Longridge hit back with a fine finish, the home team’s defensive frailty allowed Michael Gardyne to put County back in front just before the half-time break.

Keith Watson crashed home the visitors’ third goal from close range and although there was a late flurry from the home side, it was too little too late. Pars had been so impressive in their dismantling of Dundee United last weekend, and busting a 15 match streak without beating the Terrors, which added to the confidence built up from their Betfred Cup exploits.

But many felt this would be a much stiffer test as the Dingwall side was largely unchanged from the side that competed in the Premiership last term. And so it proved.

Callum Morris and Declan McManus made a quick return to East End Park, having left Dunfermline for Ross County in the summer, and both got the ‘treatment’ from the home support.

The fans were behind their own team too as Athletic made a decent start, and there was an early shout for a penalty when Myles Hippolyte fell to the floor after tangling with Keith Watson.

Referee Craig Thomson wasn’t interested but Athletic were soon threatening again when the winger got a decision, when he was fouled outside the box.

James Craigen sent in a beautifully flighted free kick, Lee Ashcroft slid in at the back post and his effort hit the post.

Louis Longridge was starting to pull the strings in midfield and he nipped in to rob a dithering County defender in the 16th minute before hammering a shot just over the bar.

His clever play then set up Ryan Williamson but the wing back’s cross-shot drifted wide of the target.

It seemed a matter of time until Dunfermline scored, instead it was the Staggies who netted against the run of play with a goal of the season contender from Mullin in the 25th minute.

Ross Draper had driven through the centre and slipped the ball wide, but Mullin still had plenty to do. He put the laces through it and leathered the ball across goal and into the top corner, giving Lee Robinson no chance.

Dunfermline hit back in the 28th minute from a long throw from Hippolyte. The ball fell invitingly to Louis Longridge but instead of slashing at it first time in a crowded box, he showed composure to take a touch inside a defender and arrow the ball into the roof of the net.

The game was warming up now with Gardyne forcing a smart stop from Robinson and Williamson denied from close range at the other end.

But they lost another goal just before the break. Lee Ashcroft missed a high ball, Williamson went to ground too easily and Gardyne advanced, cutting inside before his effort got an extra deflection to take it past Robinson.

Pars got an early scare at the start of the second half when Mullin twisted away from two challenges and his low shot was saved at full stretch by Robinson, with James Vincent clearing the ball for a corner before Jamie Lindsay could pounce on the rebound.

Hippolyte tried his luck with a free kick from the edge of the box, but the ball flicked off the top of the wall and they couldn’t make the corner count.

Allan Johnston brought on Kallum Higginbotham for Williamson to try and get Pars back into it but they shipped another goal in the 68th minute.

Gardyne’s corner was flicked on by Draper and Keith Watson acrobatically fired the ball into the roof of the net from a couple of yards out.

Dunfermline then threw on Andy Ryan and Aidan Connolly in search of a way back into this match, but County continued to carry a greater threat with sub Brian Graham trundling an effort on goal after beating two men.

Connolly came close with an 83rd minute free kick, swerving it past the wall but inches wide of the post, but it was over long before then.