Pars looking to close gap to Championship pacesetters

Allan Johnston insists Dunfermline are looking up the table – and not over their shoulders – as they go into tomorrow’s derby with Falkirk sitting third bottom in the Championship.

The Pars picked up a badlyneeded first win in seven games when they defeated Partick Thistle last Friday.

With Falkirk themselves earning a first league success of the season the following day to move level with Alloa at the foot of the table, it was a welcome victory for the Fifers.

But, with another win capable of lifting the East End Park men into the top four if results go for them, Johnston has stressed the importance of the trip to face their rivals.

He said: “It’s a massive game I think for both clubs.

“They won last weekend as well, so they’ll probably get a lift from that, which should make it a good, entertaining game.

“But we’re going there wanting to build on our performance.

“We want to start catching the teams up above us and three points against Falkirk would certainly take us a lot closer.

“It doesn’t come any bigger than a derby. You know the fans are desperate to win. It’s one the fans, the players, everybody looks forward to when you get the fixtures out. So, we’re all desperate to go there and get a result.

“The main focus for us is trying to catch the teams up above us. We’re not looking over our shoulders at the teams below us. We want to try to catch the teams up above us.

“There’s not a massive gap. If you can manage to put a couple of results together you can be up near the top. And then you can put pressure on the teams there.”