DUNFERMLINE were sent crashing out of the Scottish Cup tonight with a bitterly disappointing 3-1 defeat by League One rivals Stranraer.

Sean Winter's first half opener was added to in the second half by Stephen Stirling and although Ross Millen netted a 62nd minute penalty, Jamie Longworth's last minute goal climched only a second ever win at East End Park.

It denied the Pars a lucrative fifth round tie with Dundee United and the fans in the 1436 crowd made their displeasure known at the final whistle.

Jim Jefferies made just one change from the team that defeated Ayr United on Saturday. The injured Gozie Ugwu missed out with a calf knock and that meant a recall for Stuart Urquhart at centre back following injury, with Ryan Thomson deployed up front with Allan Smith as Ross Millen and Andy Geggan reverted to right back and central midfield respectively.

The Pars kicked off defending the Norrie McCathie Stand but it was Stranraer who were first to threaten with Stephen Stirling sending a 25-yard effort not too far over Ryan Scully's crossbar.

Stranraer had settled much quicker into the contest and it took Dunfermline until the 16th minute to register a shot as Alex Whittle curled an effort over. But just a minute later the visitors enjoyed a huge let-off.

A Millen corner from the left was met perfectly by the unmarked Shaun Byrne, but his powerful header from six yards out in the middle of the goal crashed back off Blues keeper David Mitchell's crossbar.

Neither side were enjoyed long periods of possession but it was Stranraer who opened the scoring in the 32nd minute. Neat passing play around the edge of the Pars box saw the ball fall to Sean Winter and as Gregor Buchanan failed to close the ball down, he curled a sweet right-footed shot beyond Scully and into the bottom corner of the net.

Stung by that goal Athletic tried to respond and were almost level five minutes later as Buchanan was unfortunate to direct an excellent Millen cross narrowly wide of target.

Former Par Steven Bell was the first in referee Des Roache's book for a blatant shirt pull on Andy Stirling two minutes before the break, but he incurred the wrath of East End Park moments later.

Millen's set-piece was headed behind by Frank McKeown for a corner but, to everyone's astonishment, Roache pointed for a goal kick and booked Buchanan for his protests as frustration began to become evident within the home ranks.

The Pars returned with a point to prove and Stirling did well to jink his way into the box but his low shot was deflected to safety by Mitchell.

Then in the 50th minute a swift break from a Stranraer corner saw Josh Falkingham sweep the ball to Stirling on the right, but the visiting defence recovered quickly to snuff out the possibility of a shot.

But Dunfermline were vulnerable to the counter attack and seven minutes later fell further behind. Stranraer worked the ball wide to Grant Gallagher and his low cross picked out the waiting Stirling six yards out to tap home.

But just five minutes later, the hosts were back in the game. Millen's free-kick saw McKeown push Buchanan in the box and the Roache had no hesitation in penalising the Stranraer skipper. Millen confidently tucked home the spot kick and Jefferies sent on Michael Moffat and Faissal El Bakhtaoui for Thomson and Allan Smith to chase an equaliser.

Byrne and Andy Geggan then saw shots from distance saved as Dunfermline continued to probe, but the visitors continued to pose a threat on the break with Craig Malcolm sending a curling effort over the bar.

The Pars had another chance from a Millen set-piece but the flying Geggan sent his header over the bar in the 80th minute attention anxiously turned towards the clock with Dunfermline's cup hopes in a perilous state.

And they were final killed off in the 89th minute as substitute Barry Russell easily took the ball beyond Whittle before finding fellow sub Jamie Longworth in plenty of space to coolly place the ball beyond Scully from 12 yards to send the Pars spinning out of the tournament.

Pars: Scully, Millen, Whittle, Urquhart, Buchanan, Geggan, Byrne, Thomson, Smith, Falkingham, Stirling.

Subs: Moffat, Forbes, Potter, Spence, El Bakhtaoui, Chemin.

Stranraer: Mitchell, Pettigrew, Longridge, Ramsay, McKeown, Aitken, Gallagher, Bell, Malcolm, Stirling, Winter.

Subs: Longworth,Stoney, Marenghi, Russell, Tobin.

Referee: Des Roache.

Attendance: 1436.