Dunfermline's James McPake cites 'bad miss' against Partick

PARS boss James McPake blamed errors in both boxes with a “bad miss” for his team and the concession of a “poor goal” resulting in this frustrating defeat.

Scott Robinson tapped in from close range after Dunfermline failed to deal with a free kick and Chris Hamilton blew an amazing chance to level when he fired over with the goalie grounded and the net gaping.

That was enough to give Partick the win and crush home hopes that the Pars could build on that fine midweek win over Livingston and start climbing the table.

Matty Todd tries to get an attack going against Partick Thistle on Saturday. (Image: Craig Brown) READ MORE: Dapo Mebude says 'We didn't deserve to lose to Jags'

McPake groaned: “I don't think there was much in the game in terms of chances created at either end.

“We have the best chance of the game and make a mess of it, but you've still got to do your job from the set play, which we didn't do.

“It was a big chance, yeah, and you say, well, it's a bad miss, we know that.

“But also, I'm the one that stood and said well done to the players for doing their job at set plays in the week against a very good Livingston team that can hurt you from set plays.

“Ultimately, the game's lost by a poor goal on our behalf.

Skipper Kyle Benedictus gets to grips with Jags striker Brian Graham. (Image: Craig Brown) “We're trying to build on what was our best performance of the season on Tuesday night.

“They have one chance, or not even a chance, we gift them the goal from a set play.

“And when you don’t take your own good chance …”

That 3-0 midweek win was a real shot in the arm for the Pars and a crowd of more than 5,000 made their way to East End to see if they could keep that form going and claim three points against Thistle.

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it and the boss selected the same starting 11 that inflicted that first league defeat of the season on Livingston.

After wreaths were laid and the last post played, a minute’s silence was observed before kick-off as an act of remembrance.

Midfielder Chris Hamilton gets away from Scott Robinson as he looks to get Pars moving forward. (Image: Craig Brown) READ MORE: Thistle not do as second half goal gives Partick the win over Dunfermline

The first half was instantly forgettable. Both teams cancelled each other out and it was well over half an hour before a goalkeeper got their gloves dirty.

There were a couple of openings, Kieran Ngwenya had a shot blocked while skipper Kyle Benedictus blazed a volley high and wide after a corner fell his way.

Lewis McCann also thumped a header past the post but it was the Jags who had the best opportunity when Brian Graham sent Logan Chalmers racing clear on the right in the 42nd minute.

Luckily for the Pars, Tobi Oluwayemi was off his line quick to make a fine save and turn the low drive behind for a corner.

An injured McCann was replaced by Kane Ritchie-Hosler at half-time and shortly after Chris Kane was withdrawn after a head knock.

Athletic were punished in the 57th minute after Ngwenya fouled Kanayo Megwa out wide and Kyle Turner swung in the free kick to the back post.

Dan O’Reilly’s header looked to be going in anyway but Robinson made sure, knocking the ball over the line.

Dunfermline’s golden opportunity came and went moments later. Dapo Mebude got free in the box and teed up Matty Todd, and when his effort was blocked the ball ran loose for Hamilton.

With Jags goalie Myles Roberts out of the picture and the net gaping the midfielder looked certain to score but he side-footed the ball high over the bar.

Athletic pushed Partick back and launched wave after wave of attacks but without midweek goal hero Kane they couldn’t find an equaliser.

The closest they came was a Josh Cooper effort that bounced wide and a Ritchie-Hosler blast that deflected off a Thistle defender and the ball looped up in the air and into the goalie’s arms.

McPake confirmed that Kane went off with concussion – Dunfermline made six subs in total – and said: “Hopefully he’s ok.

"The officials were good with that and it was them that said to us. It’s not ideal but it gives you the opportunity to put another one on. 

"McCann was struggling at half-time. The way Lewis works, it’s really tough on his body. He didn’t train the week before and then he put a lot into the game on Tuesday night.

“Maybe it was a bad call to start him again today but off the back of Tuesday it was tough to not go with that team.

“We lose him and he’s a big player for us.”

The defeat leaves Dunfermline second bottom of the Championship and the boss said: “It was always going to be a difficult game, but again, I was the one praising how clinical we were on Tuesday night, in both boxes.

“You make the game a lot harder when you don't defend your set plays and ultimately that's what's cost us today.”