Pars boss sees trip as chance to bounce back

Dunfermline boss Allan Johnston insists a trip to high-flying St Mirren is the perfect way to bounce back from their dismal demolition at the hands of Queen of the South.

The Pars are currently toiling on a run of six matches without a win in the Championship and their 5-2 defeat against Queens at East End Park saw them drop out of the promotion play-off positions.

Johnston pulled no punches following a dreadful display, describing it as the club’s worst performance during his reign.

The bid to arrest their malaise does not get any easier this weekend, with a daunting trip to Paisley to face second-placed St Mirren, who have won four of their last five matches and have emerged as realistic title challengers.

Johnston, however, believes it is an ideal fixture for his side to make amends.

He said: “Confidence is going to take a dunt after a result like we had against Queen of the South, because it was as poor as we have been.

“You just have to make sure that the players respond.

“The boys have got to show a bit of character and make sure that they respond.

“We need a bit of fight and determination because it doesn’t get much harder than against St Mirren in this league.

“They are a real quality team, but these are exactly the kind of games that you want after a game like Queens – playing against a good team where we have to make sure that we put in the challenges and be right up for the game.

“We need to work even harder, do better individually and collectively to get back on track.”

Allan Johnston: looking for a response from his players.