Alloa Athletic 1-1 PARS

DUNFERMLINE stepped up preparations for the new season by drawing with Alloa in their second pre-season game last night.

Allan Johnston's side came from behind to draw with their League One opponents at the Indodrill Stadium thanks to a goal from one of two trialists who started for the Pars.

After a 4-3 loss to Partick Thistle in a closed-door encounter in Glasgow on Saturday, this was the first opportunity for supporters to watch their team since lifting the League One trophy in April but they were denied the chance to see loan signing Gavin Reilly, who missed out with a back problem.

Fellow new recruits Lee Ashcroft and Nat Wedderburn both started however as the Pars boss fielded a strong side.

One of the trialists featured in attack alongside Michael Moffat while the other - believed to be Annan's Josh Todd - started on the right of midfield as Johnston gave them another opportunity to impress.

The Wasps, managed by former Par Jack Ross, had the contest's first real opportunity when Andrew Graham's header was cleared off the line by Wedderburn while the striking trialist sent an 18th minute header of his own off target for the visitors.

Kevin Cawley came even closer to opening the scoring for Alloa on the half hour when he headed Iain Flannigan's cross just wide before Ryan Hoggan fizzed an effort narrowly off target from 30 yards.

The home side did however make the breakthrough in the 38th minute through the familiar face of ex-Stranraer hitman Jamie Longworth, who turned Scott Taggart's ball to the far post into the net.

It took Dunfermline just six minutes to hit back when Ryan Williamson made a trademark run down the right, crossing the ball for trialist (2) to head the ball beyond Alloa keeper Craig McDowall.

Moffat came close to putting the Pars ahead two minutes into the second half when he struck the post from Andy Geggan's cross, while trialist (1) was denied by McDowall after being picked out superbly by Geggan.

A raft of substitutions took place in the 65th minute as Johnston continues to give each of his squad game time, and although James Thomas and Lewis Martin both went close, the game finished level.

Dunfermline continue their pre-season programme this Saturday when they travel to face Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

Pars: Murdoch, Williamson (Martin 65), Ashcroft (Duncan 82), Richards-Everton (Morrison 82), Talbot (Trialist 3 65), Trialist 1 (Horne 77), Wedderburn (Spence 65), Geggan (McCabe 65), Cardle (Duthie 65), Trialist 2 (Smith 77), Moffat (Thomas 65).

Sub not used: Hutton.