Tall order is big chance for Pars, says Johnston

Victory at St Mirren can kickstart push for play-off place

Allan Johnston insists toppling league leaders St Mirren would be the perfect way for Dunfermline to kickstart a promotion push.

The Pars topped the Championship earlier in the campaign but, after just three wins from their last 15 league games, have dropped 22 points behind the Buddies ahead of tomorrow’s clash in Paisley.

The Fifers now find themselves in fifth and five points off even claiming a playoff spot after such a promising start.

But Johnston is confident his side can spark a revival in their remaining 11 games if they can turn their draws into victories.

The East End Park boss has urged his players to kick off a crucial spell with a confidence-boosting win against the champions elect.

He said: “It doesn’t come any harder than St Mirren away, and if you look at the next four or five fixtures they’re really difficult.

“It’s an important period and if we can put a run together we can climb up the table.

“If you look at it, St Mirren are miles ahead and they’re a good team. They’ve been really consistent this season.

“We’ve had far too many draws. So if we want to kickstart our season we need to get wins, and hopefully we can do that at the weekend.

“I think it would be a massive boost to everybody if we could go there and win the game.”

Dunfermline have secured indoor training facilities at Ravenscraig during the bad weather that resulted in their last three matches being postponed.

Johnston is content with his squad’s preparations as they prepare for a pivotal spell against Inverness Caley Thistle, Morton, Brechin City, Dundee United, Queen of the South, Livingston and Falkirk in the space of the next month.

With plenty of games still to be won and lost in the run-in to the end of the season, the Pars will be hoping the teams above them drop points.

But Johnston is eager to retain his side’s focus on ensuring they pick up the wins they need to take advantage if that does happen.

He added: “The fixtures are mounting up but we’re all in the same boat.

“It’s hard to predict results in this league, and everybody’s got to play everybody else.

“But, from our point of view, hopefully we can take care of our side of the business and end up in that top four.”

Picture: SNS. Allan Johnston is confident Dunfermline can spark a revival in their remaining 11 games.