st johnstone progressed through four knock-out rounds to reach the final whilst dunfermline athletic contested only three after receiving a random bye into the second round. the 2007 final was dunfermline's second appearance in a cup final in six months having lost the previous season's scottish cup final in may, however, it was the club's first challenge cup final. the match was st johnstone's second appearance in the final of the tournament having lost in 1996. the tournament was contested by clubs below the scottish premier league with both clubs from the first division.