HEADED goals might be a rarity for Fraser Murray but even that couldn't top his free kick stunner for the Pars on Tuesday.

And the 21-year-old joked that he might have to continue to keep "shooting from outside the box" to add to his tally after opening his account for his new club in the 3-0 Betfred Cup win at Kilmarnock.

Although he struck from distance while playing as a trialist in a friendly with Stenhousemuir, the on-loan Hibernian midfielder netted his first competitive goals in only his second start for Stevie Crawford's men at Rugby Park.

Having appeared from the bench at Dumbarton last Tuesday, Murray was named in the starting line-up for Friday's win over Falkirk, and again at Premiership Killie, where he was deployed on the right in front of former Hibees team-mate, Steven Whittaker.

With 18 minutes to go, he was in the right place at the right time to glance home Declan McManus' superb cross to give Dunfermline a 2-0 lead, before wrapping up the three points with a sensational strike from at least 30 yards.

When asked if his header gave him more satisfaction than his long-ranger, he laughed: "Nah, no chance!

"I thought it was a bit far out because the keeper was just standing in the middle of the goals, so I wasn't sure, but I just went for it because I've been practising them quite a lot. Thankfully, it paid off.

"I said to one of the boys before the game, stick it back post and I'll score a header, with any luck. I don't usually score headers!

"We're off to a good start in the cup games so far. We've had three clean sheets and are scoring goals so I'm enjoying it so far."

Six goals from three games is a healthy return as Dunfermline turn their focus to the start of their Championship campaign against Inverness Caledonian Thistle this weekend but the attack-minded Murray has been equally pleased with the fact they are yet to concede.

"The gaffer wants us all working hard, the wide players getting back, defensive players, strikers running, and obviously the back four have been brilliant defending set-pieces and balls up, making sure we get a clean sheet.

"Credit to the boys at the back, and the boys all over the park to be fair. We've kept three clean sheets, look solid at the back, are defending well and scoring different kinds of goals.

"It's going well and is looking good for the start of the season. Hopefully we can carry it on."

Meanwhile, another new arrival, Kevin O'Hara, says he has been pleased with his start to life as a Pars player and is confident he can form a fruitful partnership with McManus.

The 22-year-old, who signed on a three-year deal from Alloa Athletic in the summer, has started all three Betfred Cup ties and scored his first goal for the club from the penalty spot against Dumbarton last Tuesday night.

In the last two matches, he has partnered McManus in attack, and commented: "Deccy's an intelligent player.

"He can spin in behind or come into feet, like he did in the second half against Falkirk, and if Deccy drops in and plays those balls, I'm on my bike every day of the week in behind.

"It's been a good start. The gaffer put me on penalties and I stepped up, took it and slotted it away, so it got me off to a good start to my Dunfermline career, which I wanted. Getting that goal early doors can only kick me on to a good season.

"The first thing we said, when we played Stenhousemuir in the first friendly, was to get a good winning mentality and keep a clean sheet. We're doing that so far so we can't complain."