ACCRINGTON Stanley travelled to Scottish Third Division side East Fife in what was their final game in their pre-season tour of Scotland.

The Reds had found it tough going on the East coast going into this game on the back of two goalless draws against Brechin and Arbroath.

But they could have taken the lead on 10 minutes when Peter Cavanagh saw his well-aimed effort sail just over the crossbar.

However, it was East Fife who took the game to Stanley by freeing Stevie Nicholas, whose well timed effort deflected back off the left-hand post.

The resulting rebound by Lloyd Young sailed way over the Stanley crossbar.

Stanley though, were behind on the half hour mark, when Young, from 20 yards out, looped a testing shot over the head of Reds goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin and into the top corner.

Accrington did not have time to regroup when a free-header from the lively Nicholas grazed the bar.

On 40 minutes, David Brown saw his close-range effort fly just over the East Fife crossbar after fantastic work down the right by Shaun Whalley.

But it was the Fifers who stretched their lead right on the half-time mark through Craig O'Reilly.

It was a reformed side that took to the field after half-time when Lee McEvilly, Leighton McGivern, Romuald Boco and Kenny Arthur took to the field.

And it wasn't long before they made an impression.

Whalley launched a free-kick from the edge of the area at the towering frame of Andy Procter, who guided the ball to a well-marked McGivern.

And the striker's half-volley was enough to beat Willie McCulloch in the East Fife goal to reduce the arrears.

Again it was Whalley and Boco who teamed up well on the wings to create a chance for Cavanagh on the hour mark, but this time McCulloch was up to the test.

Stanley continued to create goalscoring opportunities and Whalley again went close after great play by Leam Richardson, but he saw his header sail over the bar.

A misunderstanding between Stanley goalkeeper Arthur and Roberts nearly lead to a Fife third when a clash of heads saw the ball come to an unmarked Nicholas, but he nudged it way over the bar.

The Reds players seemed spurned on from the great support from the Accrington fans who had made the 500-mile round trip and they were justly rewarded for their efforts in the dying minutes when Boco scored from 20 yards.

In the dying minutes there were a few heated words between McEvilly and the East Fife backline, which led to the Stanley striker receiving a yellow card.

Stanley: Dunbavin (45), Cavanagh, Richardson, Roberts, Procter, Whalley, Mullin (45), Edwards, Carden, Branch (45), Brown (45) Subs: McEvilly (45), McGivern (45), Boco (45), Arthur (45) East Fife: McCulloch, Guy, Fotheringham, Smart, Tweed, Young, Gordon, Stewart, Nicholas, O'Reilly, Cameron Subs: Blackadder, McDonald, Fortune, Dair, Linton, Paterson, Mathers