KYLE BENEDICTUS joked that he would "tell you in a couple of weeks" if Tuesday's win over Livingston had ignited Dunfermline's campaign.

But the Pars captain has admitted that if their three-goal success "can't give you confidence, nothing will".

The 32-year-old made his first appearance since late August following a hamstring injury when he was drafted back into the starting line-up for Tuesday's match with the Lions.

Not only did he help his side record their third clean sheet of the Championship season, he helped himself to his first goal of the campaign, heading home their second of the night.

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They're now looking to add to their second league victory when they welcome Partick Thistle on Saturday, and Benedictus said: "Yeah, well deserved victory I thought.

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"I thought throughout the whole game, we were switched on all over the park, created chances, and made it very difficult for Livingston.

"Obviously we knew they were going to try and play out and I thought we were switched on to it. Three goals, 3-0 victory, it's very pleasing."

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When asked if it could reinvent the season, Benedictus laughed: "I'll tell you in a couple of weeks after another couple of games!

"But as I say, it's going to give us confidence. It's a 3-0 victory. As I said, Livingston have been unbeaten all season, so if that can't give you confidence, nothing will."

Benedictus was as pleased with his team's shut-out as he was with his goal and, having been an unsued substitute in Dunfermline's previous two matches, praised those who have been selected at the heart of defence.

"Yeah, obviously, personally coming back, it's nice to get a clean sheet," he said.

"Also, since I've been out, I think the boys actually at the back have been brilliant.

Kyle Benedictus was full of praise for the performances of his defensive colleagues.Kyle Benedictus was full of praise for the performances of his defensive colleagues. (Image: Craig Brown.)

"You can speak about Hammy (Chris Hamilton), Tommy (Fogarty) when he's played, Sam Young's been brilliant, so, as you say, it's just nice to come back in and get a clean sheet.

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"I felt fine actually during the game, and then I think there was like six balls that came down that channel, and then I was just like, oh, my legs, my legs, just my calves, the bottom of my calves have gone"

"But I feel fine. I'll just go into the ice bath now, come back in for a recovery tomorrow, and I'll be fine.

"I never realised it was 83 minutes. I thought it was less than that, so 83 minutes, I've played 60 in a reserve game, I've trained for a couple of weeks, and obviously 80-odd minutes.

"I feel good. I'll be fine."