DUNFERMLINE'S first competitive home fixture of the new season will be broadcast live on TV after their Betfred Cup schedule was announced.

Stevie Crawford's side will entertain rivals Falkirk on Friday October 9, to be beamed by Premier Sports, in the second match of their intriguing Group E campaign.

The Pars will open their bid for a spot in the last 16 at League One Dumbarton on Tuesday October 6, before the Bairns - also of the third tier - arrive three days later.

They will then travel to Premiership Kilmarnock, the group's top seeds, on Tuesday October 13 before finishing their group games at home to Clyde on Saturday November 14.

Athletic have progressed from the group phase of the tournament in each of the last three seasons before bowing out in the first knock-out tie.

Last season, they emerged from a section containing St Mirren, Albion Rovers, Edinburgh City and East Kilbride before meeting Celtic in Glasgow.

Crawford's side pushed the champions all the way, forcing extra time through Tom Beadling's equaliser, only to bow out to James Forrest's strike.

Lowland League champions Kelty Hearts, who were in the north section of the draw, have also discovered their fixture dates in Group C.

Barry Ferguson's side will welcome top flight St Johnstone to New Central Park on October 6 before travelling to play Dundee United, promoted to the Premiership for this season, seven days later.

On Tuesday November 10, they will host League One Peterhead before finishing their matches at League Two Brechin City on November 14.

Last season, the Glebe Park club finished bottom of League Two but, due to Coronavirus, avoided a play-off between the winners of Kelty and Highland League winners Brora Rangers after play-offs were scrapped in a curtailed season.

The midweek games involving both Dunfermline and Kelty will kick-off at 7.45pm, with those on a Saturday slated for 3pm.