Dunfermline: Assistant boss Dave Mackay discusses Kelty Hearts tie

And he insisted that they won't be taking the challenge of facing the current League One leaders lightly as, if they do, they face elimination from the competition.

The near neighbours will go head-to-head for just the fifth time in a competitive match in the fourth round of the tournament, and the Pars have yet to lose to their near neighbours.

During Dunfermline's title-winning League One campaign in 2022/23, they won two of their four meetings 2-1, whilst the other two ended scoreless.

Since then, Michael Tidser has taken over as player / manager, and he has led Kelty to the summit of their division this term after the first quarter of matches.

The Pars, however, are second bottom of the Championship, and Mackay said that they have carried out plenty of analysis on their opponents as they seek a quarter-final spot.

"I think, with the way Kelty play, they're a really good team. They've got a style of play as well, so it was important we covered a lot of the work on that this morning and them, down at training, a lot of the stuff we wanted to go through," Mackay said yesterday (Friday).

"We've seen it when we've played lower opposition this season already. We only have to look at Forfar, Cove. East Fife in the last round was such a difficult tie and, again, this is against a team who's sitting top of their division. They're flying at the minute, they've scored a lot of goals and, in the football pyramid, there's only Airdrie separating us on goal difference.

"There's not a massive gulf between the sides and, if we had any thought of taking it lightly, we'll get beat.

"We've seen that in previous games. We're not good enough to turn up and think we can show disrespect to a team like Kelty. We'll show them full respect tomorrow, and you'll see that in terms of the squad and the team that's picked.

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"The opposition analysis that we've done is as thorough, if not more, than what we've done in previous weeks with league opposition.

"Obviously, you know a little bit more about the teams in your own league than you do, because we're not watching that week on week, but we've done a lot of work on them this week, and rightly so, because a team that's just won 5-1 at Queen of the South tells you they're a pretty decent side."

'Big incentive' for Kelty

Mackay agreed that the match represents a big incentive for the visitors, and continued: "Even in League One, when we played them a couple of years ago, every game was tough against them.

"They were a good side then. I think they've improved again from watching three or four of their matches.

"They're a very capable side. They've got a real style they try and stick to, and it'll be a tough game tomorrow but, again, if we get it right, work on the stuff that we have been working on, then I've every confidence that we can get through the tie.

"But, if we drop our standards, or think that we can take them a little bit lightly, we'll be out the cup."

'Gap between full-time and part-time teams has narrowed'

During an interview with Press Sport ahead of the match, Tidser said he feels that the gap between full-time and part-time seasons in the Championship and League One has narrowed in recent times.

Mackay said he felt so too, adding: "I genuinely do think so, and I think a lot of that comes down to, possibly the coaching, but a massive part for me is the players nowadays really look after themselves.

"When I was younger and playing, when I went on loan to part-time teams, you saw all sorts there, like guys a couple of stone overweight. They could still play, but nowadays, the guys look after themselves so well.

"They're almost training as much as a full-time team. I know when Jim Goodwin was at Alloa, his team were extremely fit, and I remember sepaking to him about it. He said the boys would be going to the gym and doing running sessions on a Wednesday, and they'd have their two training sessions.

"Fitness-wise, they're a lot better, and that bridges the gulf because I think, in terms of quality, a lot of these guys have got the quality to play. They've played at a higher level, the likes of Tidser, O'Ware, and loads of boys have got the quality there.

"Obviously, for whatever reason, they decide to go down the part-time route, or whether it's to get a career elsewhere.

"I think you've got to show huge respect to them. Before, when you played these teams, you'd maybe say once you get to 60, 70 minutes, you'll blow them away. That's not the case anymore.

"The boys are fit, they really look after themselves, and that's definitely helped bridge the gap."

This afternoon's match kicks off at 1pm, and adult tickets cost £12.

Concessions can watch the match for £6, with under-12s getting in for £1, whilst carers go free.