Pars 6 Albion Rovers 0, Betfred Cup Group H

A FIRST hat-trick of Kevin Nisbet's professional career helped Athletic hit Albion Rovers for six in their second Betfred Cup outing last night.

The 22-year-old, who moved from local rivals Raith Rovers this summer, scored his first goals in black and white during a first half super show, in which Stevie Crawford's men netted five to blow their League Two opponents away.

Kyle Turner and Aaron Comrie also got in on the act, with the former adding another just after half-time, as Dunfermline registered their second Group H maximum to take control of the section.

The home side's impressive victory was tempered slightly, however, by Rovers goalkeeper - and ex-Par - Ryan Goodfellow being stretchered off the field during the interval after receiving lengthy treatment after colliding with Nisbet in attempting to prevent his match ball clinching strike.

Buoyant after Sunday's 3-2 victory at St Mirren in their opening match, the Pars line-up showed two changes from that game, with Turner and Lewis McCann starting in place of Andy Ryan and Josh Coley.

They were named amongst the substitutes, as was Josh Edwards, who joined the club from Airdrieonians on Tuesday.

The Coatbridge side, managed by former Dunfermline winger Kevin Harper, had not won at East End since 1984 and the chances of that statistic changing lengthened as early as the third minute.

Turner, making his first competitive start since joining from Stranraer, took control of the ball midway in Albion territory and advanced towards the penalty area, before confidently side-footing the ball beyond Goodfellow.

That set the tone for 45 minutes of domination by Athletic, whose football at times left their opponents chasing shadows and created a number of chances to score.

In the 19th minute, their pressure paid off for a second time when the impressive Ryan Dow whipped in a fine cross that Nisbet met to glance a fine header into the far corner of Goodfellow's net.

There was, however, a couple of moments of concern for the home side; Euan East broke through the heart of Dunfermline's defence, only to be denied by a combination of Ryan Scully and the alert Lewis Martin, who followed the ball towards goal, before the visitors couldn't make hay with a free header from six yards.

Play, however, was soon back at the other end and, with just 25 minutes on the watch, it was 3-0.

Martin embarked on a fine run down the left - despite Rovers' appeals the ball had gone out of play - before sending in a superb delivery for Nisbet who, six yards out, had the simple task of heading into the net.

The home support were enjoying what they were watching and, just after the half hour, they almost had a fourth to celebrate when Turner was played in on goal, but Goodfellow narrowed the angle and he clipped his effort wide.

Nisbet came close with a similar shot after he was sent racing in on goal, but when number four did arrive, it came through some fine team play.

Excellent build-up saw Tom Beadling send a superb pass to Dow, cutting through Albion's defence, allowing the former Peterhead man the time and space to square for Comrie, who found himself tapping into an empty net from close range.

Four became five right on the break as a long pass from Paton was reached first by Nisbet, who poked it beyond the onrushing Goodfellow, who unfortunately collided with the striker in trying to save.

Referee Lloyd Wilson blew for half-time while he received treatment, which continued into the break, but he was able to give the thumbs up to the crowd as he was carried off.

Christopher Smith came on in his place and, within eight minutes of the restart, he was picking the ball out of his net.

Dow was again involved, sending Turner away as the Pars broke forward quickly, and he sent another composed finish into the net for goal number six.

Gabby McGill, Edwards and Paul Allan were all introduced throughout the half as Crawford gave them some game time and, while Declan Byrne had the ball in the net for Albion late on - only to be penalised for a foul - it was job done for impressive Dunfermline.

Pars: Scully, Comrie, Morrison, Ashcroft, Martin, Paton (Allan 59), Dow (McGill 59), Beadling, Turner, Nisbet (Edwards 65), McCann.

Subs not used: Ryan, Coley, Lang, Gill.

Goals: Turner (3, 53), Nisbet (19, 25, 45), Comrie (40).

Albion Rovers: Goodfellow (Smith 45), Lynas, Clarke, Wharton, Krones (Fagan 45), Morena, Roberts. Paterspn, East, Byrne, Phillips.

Subs not used: Stewart, Osadolor, Gordon, Greene, Moran.

Referee: Lloyd Wilson.

Attendance: 1,693.