PARS gaffer John Potter praised teen keeper Jamie Wilson as the youngster stepped in between the posts for an injured Ryan Scully just 15 minutes before kick-off against Forfar.

The under-20s stopper had a baptism of fire, as he let in two easy goals and faced a penalty on his senior debut – but Potter showed his approval, saying “The boy showed great attitude and commitment. He made mistakes, but he kept going.” Which could just as well have described Dunfermline's performance – after a disastrous start, falling behind 3-0 in 35 minutes, they rallied after the break to at least give Forfar a run for their money.

The Pars barely got a look in in the first half; it all went Forfar's way. Young Wilson had a foretaste of what was coming on four minutes, when he was forced to his knees to save Chris Templeman's long-range shot at the near post.

However, three minutes later, Forfar won a free kick, and from 30 yards out Martyn Fotheringham curled it round the side of the wall to bounce it in at the right post. 1-0 Forfar.

Fotheringham nearly added to his account on 11 minutes, with another shot from 35 yards out which went wide. A minute later, Templeman's header missed to the right, and on 16 minutes, a cross fell to Templeman in the six-yard box – but it was saved in the centre of goal.

But following a dazzling solo run on 18 minutes, Templeman made it 2-0 – skinning Declan O'Kane and, with Wilson coming off his line, only having to lazily roll it into the back of net.

With only 20 minutes gone and Dunfermline offering little resistance, the fans might have wondered how many more Forfar could score – the Loons looked like they could potentially score every time they had the ball.

Dunfermline resorted to the physical in a bid to level the game, but ended up paying the price. Finn Graham shoved Templeman in the box, and referee Gavin Duncan pointed to the spot. Dale Hilson converted to make it 3-0.

The Pars finally tested Rab Douglas on 41 minutes – Faissal El Bakhtaoui booted from just outside the box, forcing the keeper to stretch to his left to keep it out.

However, Dunfermline came out a different team in the second 45. The half was barely under way when Andy Geggan tested Douglas with a blistering 30-yard strike.

A minute later, the keeper came off his line with El Bakhtaoui rampaging forward, but the shot was cleared off the line by Darren Dods.

Josh Falkingham then sent a bullet of a free kick straight at Douglas on 49 minutes, followed by El Bakhtaoui's on-target attempt on 56 minutes from 10 yards out, which thudded off Douglas' palms. Alex Whittle – who made several incisive runs down the left and middle – then sent it high.

Their efforts were rewarded on 77 minutes. Out of nowhere, El Bakhtaoui burst forward, rounded Douglas in the box and pulled one back to make it 3-1.

Dunfermline continued to press, and definitely looked livelier, keeping the ball in Forfar's half and creating chances across the face of goal. And in a brilliant, quick-paced three-minute spell, they came close to levelling the score: Whittle forced Douglas to full stretch to save, then Declan O'Kane hit the bar.

Sadly, the heroics weren't enough. Despite pushing to the last minute – Moffat getting one last look in in the 87th minute, sending Douglas diving to save – it was Forfar who took the three points.