ATHLETIC are backing themselves to turn the tables on their derby rivals in the Scottish Cup with belief remaining high in the changing room.

Goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet believes that the team's recent performances can stand them in good stead when Raith Rovers come calling to KDM Group East End Park tomorrow (Friday) evening as the clubs do battle for a place in the fourth round.

Although they have picked up just one win from their last six outings, James McPake's side were unfortunate not to come away with more than one point from their last two, against Championship leaders, Dundee United, and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, on Saturday, against whom they rattled the woodwork on no fewer than EIGHT occasions.

Dunfermline also go into the contest, which is being televised live by BBC Scotland, having lost both league encounters with their Kirkcaldy neighbours by a single goal, having drawn a Viaplay Cup group stage meeting in July, and then taking a bonus point in a penalty shoot-out win.

Mehmet, who has featured in each of the Pars' last five games since returning from an ankle injury, is confident that wins will come if they can maintain their recent performance levels.

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"We had a good performance at the weekend there and were unfortunate not to come away with more than a point," he told Press Sport.

"We were quite unlucky at times against Inverness, but the boys have been performing really well and, although the results haven't been what we've wanted, the performances have definitely been up there.

"It's just been a matter doing what we're doing, working hard, and hopefully, eventually, it will pay off.

"There's definitely a belief in the changing room. It helps that the performances have been good. Bbecause we've been playing well as a team, and everyone's really sticking together, morale's been good, and the atmosphere around the club has been decent enough."

Rovers, unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions, head along the A92 on the back of sealing an SPFL Trust Trophy semi-final place at the expense of Hamilton Academical, recording a 4-1 win last Friday.

Their win at East End in August was their first in eight previous visits in all competitions, but they were winners in the last Scottish Cup meeting of the sides, at Stark's Park, in January 2019.

The meetings between the teams so far this term have been keenly-contested, and Mehmet continued: "It's always been a decent game when we've played against Raith.

"The atmosphere's always been good and it's nice to have another one of those games. Being a Friday night makes it that little bit more special.

"It's always nice to have a cup game, especially when the Scottish Cup gives a fixture like this so early. It is nice to get a big game. It is a cup game but, being Raith, who are in the same league as us, it's not as different a feel as it would be if you drew someone in the divisions below or above.

"I think it's pretty much business as usual and to just go about it like we have done before, and like we have in previous games against other teams as well in the league campaign.

"It doesn't take away anything of what it is as a derby game, but we're definitely getting a feel for each other, the likeness of the line-up, style of play and things like that.

"It's a matter of going out there, a derby game, and see what happens on the night."