Dunfermline: James McPake on Matty Todd's return at Partick Thistle

Dunfermline were beaten by Aidan Fitzpatrick's last minute winner at Firhill, halting a three-game unbeaten run, but one positive was the 23-year-old making his eagerly-awaited comeback.

Todd had been out since suffering a fractured collarbone, which needed surgery, during Athletic's opening pre-season friendly at East Fife, on June 28.

He came on midway through the first half against the Jags, as David Wotherspoon was forced off with a tight hamstring, one of two substitutions McPake was forced to make before the interval.

The Pars boss was pleased to have him back, commenting: "The one thing I was pleased with was Matty getting on, and that's tough coming on, so early in a game.

"It maybe sounds strange, but it's sometimes easier to start a game, when coming on and getting up to speed is tough.

Matty Todd, James McPake and Kieran Ngwenya applaud the travelling fans following the loss at Firhill. (Image: Craig Brown.)

"Matty will be a lot better for that. We probably accelerated where he was really in terms of getting him back and playing from the start, which is vitally important for our football club, because he's a good player, but the changes, there's nothing I can sit here and excuse for the fact we weren't good enough on the ball."

Todd meanwhile, believes that increased squad depth, which was bolstered further on Friday by the arrival of Craig Clay, will be crucial for the team moving forward.

READ MORE: Partick Thistle v Pars: Five things we learned

"I think it's huge to be fair," he said.

"You need to have competition for places and I think the manager's buzzing with what he's got at the moment.

"Every position's got a place up for grabs, and that's what's good about the boys. Everyone's fighting for each other, position-wise, and also out on the pitch."

Matty Todd came on as a first half substitute at Partick. (Image: Craig Brown.)

On the match itself, Todd felt Pars were worth a point, but admitted they need to do more in the attacking areas of the pitch.

A Kane Ritchie-Hosler shot, which was comfortably saved by Myles Roberts in the home goal, in the second half was their only effort on target, and, when asked if he felt his team did enough to earn a point, Todd added: "I think we did yeah.

"On the whole, we worked our socks off. It's a given with that changing room - the boys always work for each other. We defended with our backs to the wall during the game, but we limited them to very few chances. We never really had many ourselves, but we've got to go and have a look at that now.

"It's a difficult one to take, but we need to move on, and look forward to next week's game."

"I thought defensively we were sound up until the goal. Obviously, in the attacking areas, we probably need a wee bit more threat going forward. That'll come with boys getting relationships with each other, but it's a disappointing one to take today.

"We'll analyse it, and we'll go over it, but we'll back for next weekend."