STRANRAER 2 DUNFERMLINE ATH 1

STRANRAER 2 DUNFERMLINE ATH 1

STEVIE BELL, the former Dunfermline player, returned to hurt his old club with a late winner as Stranraer claimed a narrow first-leg advantage to take to East End Park.

Bell's strike came after Martin Grehan's early opener was cancelled out by Fayssal El-Bakhtaoui.

The home side started brightly and were in front after just twelve minutes. Jamie Longworth showed fine control to take down a long punt from David Mitchell before he was hauled down by Callum Morris dashing into the box.

The ball spilled to Grehan who made no mistake from close range. As the home side continued to assert authority, Sean Winter had a good chance to double the lead on the half-hour mark but the midfielder pulled his volley wide of the post.

However, Dunfermline were growing in strength and drew level four minutes before the break when Josh Falkingham teed up El-Bakhtaoui to beat Mitchell.

As Stranraer swept forward Mark Docherty had a penalty claim denied.

The visitors were in the ascendancy going into the final quarter of an hour but had Page red-carded after a second booking in quick succession for a cynical trip on Longworth.

Stranraer made the extra man count as Bell put in Andy Stirling's free kick two minutes from the end.