Geoff Jones’ first cup tie as Dunbar United manager looked a daunting challenge, the Seasiders having been drawn away in the East of Scotland Cup first round to play Premier League leaders St Andrew United, themselves under the charge of a rookie boss in ex-Aberdeen star Phil McGuire, also still playing.

Jones made three changes to the Dunbar starting XI, with recalls for Jamie Burstow and Chris Grant, while there was a very welcome return in midfield for club captain Steven Tait, making his first appearance of the season after injury. The game’s early stages were evenly matched, with no obvious sign that St Andrews’ superior league status might give them comfortable passage to round two of the competition. Kelly fired a shot wide for the Saints and a Sam Young header from a Grant cross wasn’t far away, then in the 20th minute Dunbar were unlucky not to score when some lovely flowing football yielded an opportunity for Shaun Hill, whose shot was parried onto the post by home keeper Sorley. This gave the visitors confidence and Grant saw a shot saved soon afterwards after a great run down the left by Burstow.

On 24 minutes, the Seasiders made the breakthrough courtesy of an own goal, Saints’ Mackie heading a purposeful Hill cross from the right into his own net.

Barely a minute later it was 2-0, and again it was a home player who was credited with having put the ball in the St Andrews net – Keith Tait drove forward and his shot was deflected past Sorley by player/manager McGuire, who very probably won’t in his long career have experienced the loss of two own goals in such a short space of time.

The hosts upped their game as they sought to stay in the competition, and controversially pulled a goal back on 32 minutes when Kelly was allowed to continue, the referee overruling his assistant, who had raised his flag for offside, before firing past Connor Wood, though the Dunbar keeper got a hand to his shot.

Danny Taylor shot over the bar as Dunbar tried to restore their two-goal advantage, and Hill saw Sorley tip his speculative effort over the bar, but the half-time whistle arrived with the Seasiders still a goal in front.

Recreation Park displays a notable slope, which served to the hosts’ advantage after the break but, unable to get an early goal, they allowed frustration to creep into their game. Dunbar looked dangerous on the counter and several times Sorley in the home goal was tested by dangerous crosses.

Things got slightly feisty at times, with the referee booking four players, two from each side, before the second half was a third of the way through.

On 64 minutes, a third Dunbar goal consolidated their position, Burstow claiming his first goal for the club with a sensational free-kick from the edge of the box which flew into the top corner beyond a helpless Sorley.

St Andrews reshaped immediately afterwards but Dunbar coped well defensively, and might have gone 4-1 up through top scorer Young after he rounded the keeper, but his touch let him down for once.

Kadela for Saints saw a shot well stopped by Wood near the end but there was no way back for them as Dunbar held on for a super win that was well deserved.

The Seasiders revert to league business tomorrow when they host Rosyth, both sides sitting two points behind leaders Haddington Athletic.

Rosyth exited the East of Scotland Cup after a 1-0 defeat at Stoneyburn and home advantage dictates Dunbar start as favourites, but manager Jones will hammer home the message that much hard work will be required if they’re to acquire another three points.