Match report: Pars 1, Inverness 5

In the end, a true humbling for the Pars and a game where the final whistle couldn't come quickly enough. Despite that, for the whole first half and part of the second period, Dunfermline were very much in the game but after falling 2 goals behind, seemed to rapidly lose heart.
The game began with Dunfermline playing the better football, but unable to get the crucial opening goal. Games against higher division teams can often be very punishing when superiority is not turned into goals. So it proved this evening. Inverness, who had failed to mount a serious attacking move, went ahead after 16 minutes when Ben Richards-Everton overhit a pass back, forcing goalkeeper David Hutton into a hurried clearance. Unfortunately, it fell to Inverness striker Ian Vigurs, who calmly played the ball past the stranded Hutton and into the net.
Dunfermline equalised in the 28th minute and it was the same combination as at Cowdenbeath on Saturday: Kallum Higginbotham expertly picked out Andy Geggan in the box, and the captain headed his team level.
As half time approached it looked as though the Pars would go into the break level, until Lewis Spence gave a way a free kick 20 yards from goal. Vigurs stepped up and placed an unstoppable shot beyond Hutton, glancing in off the underside of the bar.
The second half began with Dunfermline attacking the home end of the stadium, and barely 60 seconds into the half a great chance to equalise was spurned. Higginbotham played a ball across the box for Michael Moffat but as he prepared to shoot, Inverness defender Kevin McNaughton got behind the Pars striker and got enough on the ball to slow the pace of the shot, and the chance was gone.

Minutes later, Ryan Williamson (pictured) had a trademark run up the wing but there were no takers when he crossed the ball into the penalty box.
In the 54th minute, Williamson was caught out defensively when Billy King ran towards the Pars full back, who backed off and allowed King a shot at goal. The Inverness winger struck a tremendous shot into the top corner of the goal to make it 3-1 to the visitors.
After 60 minutes, Dunfermline had what seemed to be a definite penalty kick claim turned down when Richards-Everton's shot was handled by Carl Tremarco, but referee Crawford Allan disagreed and booked Cardle for protesting.
From there on, Dunfermline's heads seemed to go down, and the remainder of the game became a no-contest. Inverness scored a fourth goal in 66 minutes, and it was Vigurs again with his hat trick from a header, with Richards-Everton at fault, losing his marker.
With a minute remaining, Inverness made it 5-1 through Tremarco.  
The game highlighted the importance of scoring goals when on top. It also showed the lack of true firepower in the Pars squad, with Gavin Reilly injured, and the game finishing with 19 year old James Thomas and 16 year old Callum Smith up front.

Pars line-up with marks out of 10 for each player:

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Photos by Pars Review. A full match photo gallery will be uploaded tomorrow.