The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
No complacency as Pars bid to close gap
DUNFERMLINE: Win would see play-off place just point away
Allan Johnston has urged Dunfermline to take nothing for granted against winless Brechin City tonight as they bid to close in on a promotion play-off place.
After Saturday’s goalless draw at home to Morton, the Pars know a victory over the Championship’s basement boys would haul them to within just a point of fourth place.
After a run of only one win in their last nine games, the Fifers are desperate to make the most of their game in hand over Morton as they travel to face City, who have earned just four points from 27 games this season.
However, Johnston believes their part-time hosts have been better than results have suggested and the East End Park boss is determined to guard against complacency in the hunt for a victory that could prove precious in the battle for a play-off spot.
He said: “I think Brechin have majorly improved since the start of the season. They’ve been really unlucky with a lot of the results they’ve had.
“There have been a lot of close games and they’ve probably deserved more than what they’ve got just now.
“So, we’re not taking anything for granted.
“At the same time, we know we’re playing the team that’s at the bottom of the league and it’s a great opportunity to go there and get three points.
“But we’ve got to make sure we’re fully focused to go and win games like that and make sure we approach it the right way.
“They’ve brought in some decent players since January, they’ve definitely strengthened. So, we know it’s going to be tough.
“But it’s an opportunity and we’ve got to make sure we take that opportunity.”
Another clean sheet would give Dunfermline the platform for the victory they crave and would be the eighth in just 12 games for Lee Robinson since his arrival on New Year’s Day.
The former Raith Rovers and Rangers keeper was in limbo when he left Queen of the South in September but is relishing life with the Pars after being drafted in because of an injury to Sean Murdoch.
He said: “For me, having been out of the game for a few months, to get so many clean sheets is great.
“You just want more and to keep it going.
“The lads in defence have been doing great and I’d love to get a few more between now and the end of the season.
“I’ve had enough times in my career when I’ve not enjoyed it, just not enjoyed playing games, so just to be playing at a really good club and keeping clean sheets is a massive thing.
“You don’t get any more enjoyment than that.”
Brechin boss Darren Dods is determined to finish what has been a season to forget on a high but suffered another setback in Saturday’s home defeat by Dumbarton.
Former Aberdeen midfielder Craig Storie, who only joined City last month after leaving the Dons, picked up a bad knee problem.
Dods, who also lost on-loan Dundee defender Kosta Gadzhalov last week to a freak injury, said: “Craig picked up a sore one on his knee in a block tackle on Saturday.
“We are keeping our fingers crossed but he could be out for the season.”