Pictures and analysis of East Fife 2 Wolves 3

Notwithstanding that this is very early days, the good in the first-half was provided by the encouraging 45-minute performances by Danny Batth and Bjorn Sigurdarson.

Then, after the break, goalkeeper Aaron McCarey, Lee Evans, Jack Price, Leigh Griffiths and Liam McAlinden prospered in a more fluid, attacking and convincing period.

We will return to the 'Bak' - Bakary Sako – and the ugly in a moment.

But with such a young team, there is a very real need for some bubbly natures to nurture what was essentially an under-21 side last season.

Because the 'ugly' – that is, the losing mentality that started in the Premier League and continued to gnaw away through all of last season - was there for all to see in the first 20 minutes.

Then it seemed, despite the removal of players infected by the crushing malaise as deeply as anyone, there remains a microcosm of the Mick-Solbakken-Saunders mish-mash that Jackett has to strip down and re-programme.

It has latched onto younger, less experienced players and it didn't take much to scratch the veneer of Jackett's embryonic Class of 2013 to see some of the same problems underneath.

However, through the sheer will of Batth, the guile of Sigurdarson and the bewitching power of Sako, Wolves shook off the cloak of despair to produce an enterprising performance.

And it was Sako who looked a constant threat, reminding us all that he is going to take some replacing as an attacking force when he finally moves on.

Jackett admitted: "We felt our way into the game and we lacked some purpose and some shots early on.

"But that developed as the game went on and in the second half, we created more than we did in the first-half.

"It was interesting to see that the gap between the younger players and some of the established ones is quite close, which is good.

"It does suggest there will be some competition there."

Wolves played a 3-5-2 formation for the first 20 minutes before switching to 4-4-2 and Jackett stressed the team needs a 'Plan B.'

He said: "I'm just looking at different combinations and partnerships – who can play with who.

"Griffiths and McAlinden looked very bright in a partnership - Leigh's bright and quick, he has an eye for a goal and it will be interesting to see how he develops.

"Evans and Price in midfield did well too, and Danny Batth looked quite powerful.

"Aaron McCarey was very brave and has a lot of good attributes for a young goalkeeper in the second-half, he pulled off some really brave saves on crosses.

"Three-five-two is something we can look at again because you do need a plan B, definitely.

"We will be looking at various formations to make sure we can get the most out of players if possible."

Sigurdarson (31), Griffiths (48) and Tongo Doumbia (66) put the visitors in control in a satisfactory return just 67 days after Wolves' relegation fate was sealed at Brighton.

Wolves were first to threaten when the lively Sako saw an angled shot pushed around the post by goalkeeper Michael Andrews.

Then Matt Doherty volleyed straight at Andrews after East Fife partly cleared Sako's corner.

Wolves switched to 4-4-2 after 20 minutes with Stearman, Batth, Elokobi and Ricketts at the back and Sako in a four-man midfield.

It was Sako who got away from Alexis Dutot and Ismael Bouzid only to fire high and wide from a tight angle.

Wolves took the lead slightly against the run of play, but it was a classy, well-worked effort started and finished by Sigurdarson.

Bursting through the middle before finding Sako to his left, he netted a falling first-time shot from Jake Cassidy's headed knockdown from Sako's cross.

Matt Doherty then hit the inside of the post from Sako's centre, after Sigurdarson sent the French winger galloping clear.

East Fife's equaliser from the spot a minute before the break came from out of the blue.

Joe Jackson made the most of the flimsiest of contact on the edge of the area by Batth and the former Burnley player sent goalkeeper Carl Ikeme the wrong way.

Only Batth remained on for the restart, although he was later replaced by George Elokobi.

Wolves, however, were quickly back in front when Griffiths scored with his first touch, a clinical effort from McAlinden's left-wing cut back. From then on, it was pretty much all Wolves.

McAlinden was denied after Anthony Forde's clever pass put him through before Griffiths dragged a solo effort wide.

Griffiths turned provider for Wolves' third, his corner flicked on by Batth and the ball hit Doumbia to fly high into the net.

A Griffiths curler was blocked by the covering Scott Durie before Kevin Nade reduced the arrears after ricochets off Price then Elokobi.

Elokobi appeared to be out-muscled by the burly striker, who fired home 12 minutes from time despite McCarey getting a good hand to the ball.

By Tim Nash