It took extra time for Celtic to eventually scrape through to the next round of the Betfred Cup against Dunfermline with James Forrest grabbing the winner as penalties loomed.
Mikey Johnston’s opener was cancelled out by Thomas Beadling’s equaliser in the second half as Stephen Crawford’s side put in a tremendous effort at Celtic Park.
The visitors began with most of their team behind the ball as they frustrated Celtic.
Kevin Nesbit should have opened the scoring for Dunfermline when Christopher Jullien’s slack defending allowed him in but the striker couldn’t finish past Gordon.
There were very few opportunities in the first period as Neil Lennon’s side struggled to create much at all.
The first goal came after the break as Johnston’s cross turned into a great curling shot that looped over Scully in goal.
However, the Pars hit back as Beadling’s great finish from a cut-back sent things to extra time.
Jullien very nearly got a winner in normal time but he somehow put the ball wide from yards out.
As Celtic pressed in extra time, the goal finally came minutes from time as Forrest’s deflected effort found the net.
Here’s how we rated the players after a frustrating afternoon.
Craig Gordon: 6
Could do nothing about the equaliser but could have been quicker in his distribution.
Hatem Abd Elhamed: 6
Linked up well with Forrest on the right as he got forward without having much defensive work to do.
Christopher Jullien: 5
Had a shaky start and nearly allowed Nisbet to score.
Really should have scored from a few corners.
Kristoffer Ajer: 7
Strong in his defending and seemed very comfortable.
Limped off late on.
Nir Bitton: 7
Good to see the Israeli in a more natural position in front of the defence.
His passing was good and he tested the goalkeeper with a couple of decent efforts.
Callum McGregor: 6
Kept his passing quick as he returned to the midfield.
Ryan Christie: 6
Things didn’t quite come off for Christie today despite his best efforts.
His delivery from corners wasn’t great.
Mikey Johnston: 7
Looked the most promising going forward and always looked to be positive.
Tested Scully with a good drive before beating him with a looping hit.
Boli Bolingoli: 5
More comfortable at left wing-back but is clearly short of confidence as he gave the ball away far too many times.
Odsonne Edouard: 5
Not the Frenchman’s best outing as he struggled to break down a packed defence.
Leigh Griffiths: 5
Didn’t get great service and was replaced before the hour by Forrest.
(SUB) James Forrest: 7
Saved Celtic’s blushes today with his deflected strike and saw the team play a lot more direct when he came on.
(SUB) Olivier Ntcham: 5
Had a few good strikes at goal but he couldn’t make much of a difference.
(SUB) Jonny Hayes: 5
Replaced Bolingoli in extra time and got up and down the wing well with some good crosses although nobody in the middle could capitalise.
(SUB) Lewis Morgan: 4
Celtic’s extra sub in extra time. Gave a really silly pass away before winning an important free kick.