Dunfermline's Deniz Mehmet views point as a 'morale booster'

The Dunfermline fans behind the goal got a cracking view as the former United goalie flew through the air to claw Archie Meekison's effort away from the top corner.

With praise from boss James McPake still ringing in his ears, the 31-year-old said the point was a "morale boost" after a poor run of results.

He added: "It is nice to get positive feedback, especially from the gaffer. It is good to get that, it feels nice.

Deniz Mehmet was largely untroubled in the match, thanks to a sterling defensive display, but pulled off a great save from Archie Meekison's shot in the dying moments. (Image: Craig Brown)

"I just remember seeing it, getting a hand to it and getting it round for a corner.

"I am happy to get that at the end and so late on but all credit to the boys, they dug deep all game."

Mehmet said denying his former employers didn't make it any sweeter and shrugged: "A save is a save and for me it is nice to come back here and see familiar faces, back to where you used to be every other week.

"I have good memories here as well so it is nice to add one more to my memories at Tannadice.”

READ MORE: Sam's the man as Pars shut out league leaders to make their point

In a match short on thrills, United forced Athletic back for long spells but just couldn't find a way through a well marshalled defence.

The Pars goalkeeper was largely untroubled and said: "It was a solid performance defensively, everyone was digging deep and working hard for the whole 90 minutes.

"Defending crosses, which is a horrible thing to do, putting their heads where they really don’t want to put it.

"No-one wants to do that, let’s be honest.

"They were good, for 90 minutes they were second to none defensively.”

The travelling support gave the Pars team a standing ovation at full-time, which Mehmet said was really appreciated.

Deniz Mehmet joins the Pars players in acknowledging the support of the travelling fans at Tannadice. (Image: Craig Brown)

He said: “It has been tough for them as well, I fully understand that.

"It has not been through a lack of effort from the boys, it is just unfortunate that we have been left very thin with freak injuries.

"The cards that we have been dealt have been a bit shocking this season - you get one player back and two get injured!"

Despite a creditable point at Tannadice, they also picked one up in August when a late Mathew Cudjoe strike denied them all three, it's six games without a win for the Pars and they're now seventh in the Championship table.

And they've still got seven first-team players - Aaron Comrie, Kyle Benedictus, Matty Todd, Kane Ritchie-Hosler, Alex Jakubiak, Andrew Tod and Rhys Breen - absent through injury.

The goalie, who was out for a spell himself with an ankle problem, admitted: "It has been tough, everyone knows that.

"The run we have had has not been great, we have spoken about injuries and the list is still there.

"We have a lot of games where a lot of boys have to play in positions that they are not really used to or they are playing in their secondary position, and that’s not ideal.

"It is a good point, a morale booster, 100 per cent.

"It is something we can build on and get a bit of momentum going.

"It boosts us up until everyone else is fit and coming back. It puts us in a good way again hopefully.”