East Fife boss Gary Naysmith said there were plenty of positives he could take from Saturday’s defeat by Fulham.
The English Championship side, who were only relegated from the Premier League last season, proved too much in the end for Naysmith’s men.
However, the gaffer was pleased with the pre-season work out.
He said: “I never like getting beat but you have to put it into context we were playing a side which has just been relegated from the Premier League and, to be honest, the game was maybe a couple of weeks too early for us.
“With all due respect to other teams we’ve already played, Gala and Preston, we had all of the ball in those games but I prefer games like Fulham where we don’t have the ball because I can’t give the players a training session like that.
“For 90 minutes you’re physically moving and working mentally as well. We’ve been training hard over the past couple of weeks but the players gave me absolutely everything.”
It took until the half-hour mark for a pretty tame encounter to spark into life.Click here for a full photo galleryKevin Smith charged down a Marek Rodak clearance and squared to Allan Walker whose drive stung the Fulham keeper’s palms.
The visitors twice went close through George Williams and Ryan Williams but both found Dylan Rooney equal to their efforts.
After changing their entire team at the break, Fulham’s fresh legs had an almost immediate impact.
Allan Fleming did well to beat away a strike on goal from Cauley Woodrow but Elsad Zverotic was following up and tapped home the rebound.
East Fife almost drew level when Smith tried his luck from range. Jesse Joronen, though, was equal to his effort.
But it was the visitors who were next to net with Zverotic crossing for Hugo Rodallega to head home from six yards.
Fulham began to look increasingly dangerous every time the burst forward and it was no surprise when they added a third goal.
Woodrow managed to get in behind the East Fife defence and slammed the ball past Fleming.