BERWICK RANGERS 2 DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC 2 ( Monday, July 6th, 2015 )

Berwick Rangers came very close to winning this pre-season friendly against their SPFL 1 opponents. Twice, the Fifers had to come from behind and there was a stroke of good fortune about their second equaliser three minutes from time.

Rangers again used a big squad which included numerous named trialists, most of whom had also been present the previous Saturday against North Shields. Joining them was another East of Scotland local, Kieran Ainslie ( Coldstream ), who started in the number 5 shirt.

Berwick took the lead in the 34th minute with a great left footed strike from Darren Lavery. Three minutes later, Faissal El Bakhtaoui levelled with an equally fine effort.

On 57 minutes, Berwick re-took the lead, substitute Michael McKenna shaking the net with a bullet header after a great cross delivered from the right by one of the trialists found him free at the far post.

Berwick player-manager Colin Cameron was booked for a foul in a match played at a noticeably faster pace than Saturday’s Shields’ encounter but there was much to commend in Rangers’ performance. In search of a second goal, the Pars increased the pressure towards the end. Berwick looked capable of holding out until Dunfermline trialist Joe Cardle’s cross cum shot was sliced into his own net by the unlucky Jonny Fairbairn.