JAMES MCPAKE saluted Athletic's "character" to complete a memorable comeback win at Airdrieonians and insisted it was no more than their supporters deserved.

On an astonishing afternoon at the Excelsior Stadium, the Pars, who had had a Craig Wighton goal disallowed with the scoreline blank, found themselves two goals down at the interval.

READ MORE: Pars roar back from three down to win incredible Airdrie thriller

Their day got worse when, early in the second half, they conceded a third goal, but displayed remarkable powers of recovery in a final half hour that won't be forgotten by those who witnessed it.

After Kyle Benedictus netted from the penalty spot, after former Par, Callum Smith, was penalised and sent off for handball, Matty Todd's brace pulled Dunfermline level with nine minutes to go.

Then, in a remarkable finale, Nikolay Todorov scored a scarcely believable winner from Wighton's assist to send the travelling support into delirium.

The significance of the result was not lost on them, which took them seven points clear of nearest rivals Falkirk, and 13 clear of the Diamonds.

The players and coaching staff went over to their supporters at full-time in joyous scenes and, when asked if the celebrations were due, in part to having had a tough afternoon, McPake commented: "No, it was because we had picked up another three points.

"We had let the fans down in the first half and we had a great away support. They were noisy and they were right to be annoyed with that first half because they are not used to seeing that this season.

"If I was a fan I think I would have walked out, so credit to them for staying and credit to them for getting behind the team and sticking with the team.

"They got their reward in the end but the fans know as well that we got away with one today. The fans know football just like anyone. They go to games, they travel all over the country, so for them to stick with us, to get behind us and help us over the line, that is why we went over there and why it meant so much to the players, to the staff and the fans, because it is a collective thing.

"They have been with us all season. For 45 minutes, they were right to be whatever they were, but they stuck with us and got behind us, so a massive thank you to them."

When asked for his assessment of the 90 minutes, McPake said: "I will start with the first half; it was nowhere near acceptable.

"We got outfought we were second to every ball. Airdrie wanted it more than us. It is disappointing and it’s the first time that I have labelled that at that group.

"It was nowhere near the standard that great away support deserved, or that I want to be manager of a team that will come out and play like that. I can accept getting beat, I can accept conceding goals, but what I can’t accept is another team wanting it more than us for 45 minutes and, maybe, I’m not sure, in the second half when they had eleven men.

"We were a wee bit better when we started the second half okay. Obviously, we conceded the goal, another poor goal, but the three things that do come out of that, and over the course of the 94 or 95 minutes, was the character we showed to get back in the game, to get the three points, and the performances of the subs that came on. They were outstanding.

"That is the positive and the players deserve a lot of credit for licking their wounds at half time and coming out and performing because that is not easy when you are 3-0 down."

Diamonds player / boss, Rhys McCabe, lamented his team's struggles after the red card and penalty, which provided his old club with momentum, and said: "We'd said before what their strengths are.

"(Josh) Edwards, and (Kyle) MacDonald, obviously in the first half, and (Aaron) Comrie, to be fair. Second half, they brought on (Robbie) Mahon on the right hand side, and we knew, playing the system that they did, they were trying to work the ball wide and get the balls into the box for (Nikolay) Todorov, when he came on, and (Lewis) McCann, who arew big and aggressive in the air.

"We knew that was going to be the case but, for some reason, full backs don't want to stop crosses, midfield as well, trying to get out to stop the initial cross.

"If you're going to give up chances and allow quality players like that to put in good deliveries over the course of the second half, then they're going to punish you."