Cove Rangers started their League One campaign with a win as Mitch Megginson struck twice in a 3-1 victory over nine-man East Fife.
After missing a first-half penalty Megginson put the hosts in front, before he was upended cruelly by Danny Denholm that earned the latter a red card.
Megginson found the net again 14 minutes into the second period and despite Jack Hamilton pulling a goal back, Leighton McIntosh secured the points.
Aaron Dunsmore became the second visiting player dismissed after picking up a second booking in the final 20 minutes.
Ryan Strachan returned from injury to start at the back for Cove, with Jamie Semple also drafted in. Seb Ross recovered from a pre-season knock to make the bench.
It had been a long time in coming for Cove to play their first game at this level, having played their last league game in March and being crowned League Two champions in April.
Their pre-season and Betfred Cup fixtures so far showed some promise but it was East Fife who fashioned the first chance of the game, with Liam Newton curling over from the edge of the box.
Semple, handed his first start in the midweek game against Brora Rangers, attempted a first-time shot from Leighton McIntosh’s cut-back that was comfortably gathered by Brett Long. Former United stopper Long then had to kick away Megginson’s strike after the ball ricocheted to the Cove skipper off Ross Dunlop.
The visitors’ frustration with referee Gavin Ross was growing, due to a number of calls they felt were dubious. They were helped little when he blew for a spot-kick on Jamie Masson, after his trailing leg appeared to be caught by Chris Higgins.
It presented Megginson with the opportunity to open his account for the season but, uncharacteristically for the League Two golden boot winner, his penalty was skied high over the top.
Megginson’s part in the action was just beginning. He was then cleaned out by a wild lunge from Denholm, who left the ground to connect with the striker and Ross immediately brandished the red card.
Worse was to come for Darren Young’s side as Megginson stole in at the front post to steer in Scott Ross’ cross six minutes before the break.
Cove carved the 10 men open within the first 15 seconds of the second period, with Megginson feeding Semple but the on-loan Motherwell man dragged his shot wide of the target.
The second goal did come on the hour as McIntosh got the better of Patrick Slattery and fired in a cross, with Semple missing his kick only for Megginson to hammer the ball home.
The visitors were gifted a way back into the game within two minutes as Scott Ross turned a harmless long ball in behind Strachan without looking. That allowed Hamilton a free run at goal and he finished beyond Stuart McKenzie.
But the win was secured with 17 minutes to go as McIntosh latched on to the rebound after Long parried Masson’s shot.
Matters got worse for the away side as Dunsmore was given a second yellow for a foul on Connor Scully, compounding a forgettable day for the Fifers.
