The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Clark upbeat about play-off prospects
DUNFERMLINE: Captain defiant after St Mirren loss but says side must ‘pick up big time’
ST MIRREN 2
DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC 0
Nicky Clark came out fighting after a damaging defeat against the league leaders and insisted the Pars can still reach the play-offs.
Dunfermline, winless in their last seven games, remain five points adrift of fourth-top Dundee United who have three games in hand.
The Pars also trail third-placed Morton by six points but have a game in hand.
Clark remains upbeat about his side’s prospects.
He said: “We need to keep our heads down and work hard to change our fortunes.
“We are back in tomorrow and still have 10 games to go and we believe we still have a chance of getting into the play-offs.
“We know we are making it hard for ourselves but we have lots of games to play at home so the play-offs aren’t out of the equation.
“If we want to do that, though, we need to pick up big time.”
Despite St Mirren dominating possession, the visitors defended resolutely and were well in the game until Jason Talbot conceded a penalty on the 70th minute.
The defender hauled down Danny Mullen only a few yards out and it was double punishment for the Pars as Talbot received his marching orders as referee Nick Walsh brandished a second yellow card.
A full three minutes passed from the awarding of the penalty to the kick but Harry Davis made no mistake, slamming his effort straight down the middle.
The sending off seemed to deflate Dunfermline and the hosts immediately capitalised on their man advantage by doubling their advantage just three minutes later.
Liam Smith gathered a clearance on the edge of the area before firing an unstoppable low strike into the bottom corner which sent the home fans into raptures.
Dunfermline were left cursing their luck as before the penalty they had the best chance of the afternoon, against the run of play.
They embarked on a brilliant counter-attack that led to James Craigen being slipped in on goal but he fired wildly into the side netting. “It’s a disappointing result today. “It’s a sore one as we weren’t at the races, although we probably had the best chance at 0-0 and if we take that the game changes.
“After we went down to 10 men we couldn’t really get near them,” Clark, added.
Dunfermline’s brilliant opening to their league campaign must seem like an eternity ago to their disgruntled supporters.
The 327 travelling fans let their feelings known to manager Allan Johnston when he replaced unhappy striker Declan Mcmanus with defender Callum Morris despite being two goals down.
Clark accepts the criticism and hopes his side can get back to the form that saw them lead the pack earlier in the season.
He said: “The supporters have the right to voice their opinion, we set standards at the start of the season and the fans know what we can do.
“They still come out and back us so hopefully we can turn it round for them.”