The Fifers returned to Bayview after securing a last gasp equaliser away at Stenhousemuir last weekend where they hosted Albion Rovers, who were unbeaten in their last four games however their only win coming against Glasgow University in the Scottish Cup.
One change was made to the team that drew at Ochilview last weekend as Liam Newton replaced Liam Parker in the starting line-up.
There was drama right from the start as East Fife were reduced to 10-men inside 5 minutes. A quick throw in from the visitors saw Leslie in a footrace with Steele attempted to hook the ball away but knocked the ball off Leslie’s chest. To the shock of most inside the stadium, the referee adjudged Steele to have taken out the Albion Rovers man, awarded a free kick to the visitors dismissed the stopper for a last man challenge. The resulting free kick from Reilly was blazed over the bar.
Despite being a man down, the Methil men took a deserved lead when Mercer sent a peach of a cross onto the head of the leaping Joao Balde who turns it in, putting the Fifers 1-0 up.
8 minutes after taking the lead, Albion Rovers hit back and equalise. A misplaced pass in the East Fife midfield gave Reilly a clear run in on goal and he scores high into the roof of the net.
On the 30th minute, the ball dropped to Healy who wrestled his way past both Wilson and Leslie and into a shooting position outside the area however his shot drops just wide of the post.
With 5 minutes remaining of the half, Albion Rovers took the lead when Roberts plays the ball down the right side to Reilly who drives into the box and cuts the ball across goal which Malcolm just manages to get enough on the ball to guide it over the line.
HALF TIME: East Fife 1-2 Albion Rovers
As the second half began, the Fifers came out all guns blazing in search for a much-needed equaliser and an early chance feel for Mercer from Ferguson’s free kick, but he sent his header over the bar.
Next up Healy skipped past numerous players in the middle of the park and lays the ball off for Ferguson down the left who drills the ball in toward Trouten, but his effort was well charged down.
In the 58th minute, a short corner from Reilly finds the head of Sonkur for the visitors but his header was comfortably saved by Fleming.
East Fife levelled the scoring at 2 each in the 65th minutes with a fully deserved second for Balde. Shepherd did well to take the ball down in the corner and find space for to pick out Balde who volleyed the ball past Leighfield from close range.
With 20 minutes to go, the Fifers won a penalty when Shepherd was taken down through on goal by Leighfield who was perhaps a tad fortunate to escape with only a booking. Balde stepped up looking to score his hattrick but his sclaffed effort was saved by the Rovers ‘keeper.
Numerous chances then fell to East Fife in quick succession when first Shepherd forced Leighfield into a save with an effort on the half-volley before substitute Steven made some space for himself inside the box and tries to catch the keeper out at his near post, but Leighfield safely gathers it.
As the game was coming to a close, Reilly charged at the East Fife back line but was taken out by Newton upon entering the box giving the referee little option but to point straight at the spot giving the Rovers the chance to win the game. Reilly scored the penalty, despite Fleming getting a hand to it to clinch the points for the visitors.
The Fifers have an away fixture to look forward to next as they travel across to Forthbank to take on 2nd placed Stirling Albion. East Fife are unbeaten away from home this season and will be looking to maintain that against the Binos.
FULL TIME: East Fife 2-3 Albion Rovers
Report by: Andrew Laing
East Fife Team: Fleming, Newton, Mercer, Steele, Denham, Millar, Balde, Healy, Ferguson, Shepherd (Steven 77’), Trouten (Slattery 66’)
Albion Rovers Team: Leighfield, Graham, Sonkur, Fernie, E Wilson, C Wilson, Leslie, Fleming (McColl 67’), Malcolm, Reilly, Roberts (Testa 87’)
Referee: Chris Fordyce
Attendance: 545