An 18th minute red card for Jason Talbot and goals either side of half-time from Scott Allan and Lewis Stevenson left the Pars up against it.

But Faissal El Bakhtaoui's late goal was just reward for a battling display in a game that was the opposite of its friendly billing.

After signing for the club yesterday (Friday), Allan Johnston gave a start to goalkeeper Sean Murdoch - who left East End in 2007 - but fans favourite Joe Cardle had to make do with a seat on the bench after he also completed a move back to Athletic.

It was a strong side fielded by visiting boss Alan Stubbs but the Pars almost had a sniff of a chance in the seventh minute.

A quickly taken Josh Falkingham free-kick sent El Bakhtaoui scampering clear on the right but his cross for Michael Moffat at the near post was well defended by the Hibees rearguard.

But this friendly became less so in the 18th minute when the Pars were reduced to 10 men.

A tackle from Talbot on Dominique Malonga was taken exception to by the Hibs players, and after a melee, referee Nick Walsh ordered the full back off after deeming it a studs up challenge.

From the resulting set piece, Murdoch produced a good save from Allan's effort before Malonga sent a fierce first time volley not far wide after latching on to Calum Fordyce's clearing header.

With the man advantage, the Leith men began to dominate and Murdoch, enjoying an impressive half against one of his former clubs, produced another fine save to deny Lewis Stevenson but there was nothing he could do about the 34th minute opener.

The talented Allan picked up the ball around 25 yards from goal and unleashed a terrific shot that curled away from Murdoch's hands and into the top corner of the net.

It would've been two less than a minute later had it not been for the Dunfermline keeper's smart reflexes in saving with his legs from Sam Stanton after the youngster raced in on goal unopposed.

There was another scare in the 36th minute when Allan broke clear of the home defence and, after making good progress to the near post, showed none of the composure for his goal as he scalffed his shot horribly wide.

Johnston's side were understandably struggling to create chances, with Geggan dropping out of midfield to compensate for the loss of Talbot, but they continued to play football that was pleasing on the eye at times.

But Hibs keeper Mark Oxley was a virtual spectator throughout the opening 45 minutes and indeed Malonga should have done better than head over unmarked from six yards from Stevenson's cross just before the interval.

Neither side elected to make changes at half-time but the hosts did fashion an opportunity four minutes after the restart when El Bakhtaoui latched on to a clipped ball but his shot from the edge of the area caused Oxley no concern.

Three minutes later, Hibs doubled their lead with a well-worked goal.

Neat passing on the left gave Cummings the opportunity to pull the ball back for Stevenson, and the left back calmly passed the ball into the corner of Murdoch's net.

A neat turn from Paton minutes later saw him feed El Bakhtaoui for another sight of goal, but his shot from distance when he could have moved closer to the box was weak and easily saved.

Substitutions from both sides just after the hour mark disrupted the flow of proceedings, as is often the case in pre-season, with Dunfermline introducing two trialists; one at left back, the other up front.

After Allan was booked for diving inside the Pars box, the trialist striker was unfortunate to send the ball off target at the near post while under pressure from the Hibs defence following good work by Ryan Williamson on the right.

Alex Harris then forced Murdoch into another super stop in the 76th minute with a powerful drive from eight yards out, before the biggest cheer of the day came Cardle's way as he made his entrance in place of Geggan.

Moments later Dunfermline were desperately unlucky not to score as El Bakhtaoui hit the inside of the post before the Hibees scrambled the ball to safety.

But the Pars attacker was not to be denied and with five minutes left, he pulled a goal back with an excellent strike that was just reward for a tireless display.

Although it was not enough to prevent a defeat, Johnston and his men can take great heart from a tough workout ahead of their Petrofac Training Cup tie at Arbroath next Saturday.

Pars: Murdoch, Williamson, Talbot, Fordyce, Richards-Everton, Geggan, Paton, Falkingham, Moffat, El Bakhtaoui, Hopkirk.

Subs: Hutton, Trialist, Byrne, Spence, Cardle, Wallace, Trialist, Thomas, Potter.

Goal: El Bakhtaoui (85).

Sent off: Talbot (18).

Hibernian: Oxley, Gray, Stevenson, Hanlon, Fontaine, Forster, Fyvie, S.Allan, Stanton, Cummings, Malonga.

Subs: Reguero, Harris, Martin, L.Allan, Dunsmore, Crane, Duthie, Sinclair.

Goals: S.Allan (34), Stevenson (52).