Dunfermline: James McPake reacts to Falkirk league defeat

PARS boss James McPake said that he "can't ask for a single ounce more of effort" from his players but admitted defeat to Falkirk stung.

Their fierce rivals from across the Kincardine Bridge picked up their first win in six meetings between the clubs on Saturday to further deflate Athletic supporters.

They have watched their favourites lose both of their opening Championship fixtures by a 2-0 scoreline, to sit bottom of the table.

It was also a fifth successive defeat in all competitions, a period in which they have only scored once, for Dunfermline who have only won one of their last 11 competitive games stretching back to last season.

The sight of 2,500 Bairns fans celebrating joyously in the away end was tough to take for those of a black and white persuasion and, when asked if it was a disappointing afternoon, McPake replied: "Yeah, when it's a game like this - let's be honest, it's our biggest game, or the four biggest games of our season.

"I think this game, I've said it often enough when we've won it, wouldn't be out of place in the Premiership in Scotland, with the atmosphere it creates, so to lose it is a sore one.

"It's the first time that we have lost to them in our time being here, but Falkirk deserved the three points today in my opinion, particularly in the first half.

"They're a good side. They're carrying a lot of momentum as well from their League One campaign and, from the last time we faced them, they've recruited really well with certain players that have come in.

"First half, I thought they were well on top. Second half I thought we gave it a go without really causing too much alarm.

"The one Chris Kane goes through - again, if that's when things are going well for you, it drops in, and Wighty's unlucky. It's a great bit of defending.

"It's a disappointing one, particularly for the fans, and the group of players because we were desperate to win it, being at home against our rivals. 

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"Going back to what I said last week, and I didn't say it for anything other than it's what I believed, that I can't ask for a single ounce more of effort or anything from that group of players."

McPake said pre-match that he wanted to find a way to get the supporters involved quickly but, whilst there was plenty of passion as proceedings kicked off, Dunfermline endured a nightmare start.

With only six minutes on the clock, they fell behind when Keelan Adams was played in behind the Pars defence by Dylan Tait before sending the ball across goal for Ross MacIver to finish from close range.

To their credit, Dunfermline tried to respond, with captain Kyle Benedictus nodding wide at the far post from a David Wotherspoon corner, but they struggled for quality in attack.

Former St Johnstone man Wotherspoon curled wide just before the break, whilst Lewis McCann saw an effort blocked, before his attempt on the rebound was deflected over, early in the second half.

There was no doubting Athletic's effort and endeavour, but not even the return to action of Chris Kane, from the bench, could fashion an equaliser.

He was unfortunate when, after he took a touch to burst away from former Par, Coll Donaldson, Bairns keeper, Nicky Hogarth, raced from his line to clear. The ball then cannoned off the Athletic forward and dropped wide. 

Chris Kane came closest to netting for the Pars. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Kane also brought out the only real action Hogarth had to deal with in the closing stages, forcing him to push a header wide from a Sam Fisher cross, but moments later, the game was over.

The away side, who had threatened on more than one occasion when they broke forward, were awarded a penalty when Ritchie-Hosler bundled over MacIver, allowing Callumn Morrison to net and seal their victory.

"What we ask of the squad, and the players who start and come on, is to work really hard so the supporters really appreciate them. I think they did that today," McPake added.

"I said pre-match that every fan that turned up, what they would expect of themselves would be to go out and give everything for Dunfermline Athletic Football Club. That’s what the fans wanted to see. They got that.

"Of course, it’s not great. They’re going away and we’ve not won a game against one of our biggest rivals, but that can come down to confidence, quality, whatever. But, like last week, it’s not down to effort from them.

"That’s why the fans will appreciate the players. With everything else I can’t affect that, I’ve just got to prepare a team.

"That can be questioned, I’ve no issue with that, but what certainly can’t be questioned is the work-rate and the heart and desire from my group of players or my staff."