The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Pars restore pride by holding leaders
Dunfermline’s display during their midweek thrashing at the hands of Fife rivals Raith Rovers was akin to a ship without a rudder.
However, the players did, to some extent, redeem themselves with a battling and creditable goalless draw against league leaders Hearts in the East End Park sunshine.
One of the main reasons for this rapid turnaround was undoubtedly the return to the team of towering Lithuanian central defender Vytas Gaspuitis who had missed last week’s Starks Park debacle due to him making his first start for his national team in a World Cup qualifier against Italy.
Gaspuitis helped steady the ship at the back and was also the closest of any player on the park to scoring when his secondhalf header rebounded from the crossbar with Hearts keeper Craig Gordon well beaten.
Afterwards, he said: “I hoped it was going in as I really wanted to score in this game, but unfortunately it didn’t happen.
“Maybe next time.” Gaspuitis was given the task of nullifying Championship favourites Hearts’ chief goal threat, Liam Boyce, a duty he performed admirably.
The Northern Ireland international striker was limited to very few scoring opportunities in what was a tough, competitive contest.
Gaspuitis added: “I think the game was very close.
“We had our chances but they also had some very good chances and I think the result was correct.
“All the players did a good job, both in defence and when we were counter-attacking.”
The best chance of the first half arrived when Dunfermline’s Declan McManus threaded a superb through-ball to Scott Banks, leaving the on-loan Crystal Palace midfielder clean through on goal. However, he somehow contrived to send his effort past Gordon’s right-hand post.
Gordon, who had made a world class save while playing for Scotland against the Faroe Islands last Wednesday, then denied Kevin O’Hara with an outstanding block just before the interval.
Dunfermline’s attacking momentum continued into the second half and it was shortly after the restart that Gaspuitis looked on in anguish as his powerful header rebounded from Gordon’s crossbar.
The Pars finished the game strongly and only another exceptional save from Gordon in the final minute, this time blocking Fraser Murray’s header with his outstretched foot, prevented the home side from taking all three points.
Gaspuitis also spoke of the benefits he derived from having the opportunity to play for his country in the World Cup qualifiers.
He said: “It was a very good experience to play against top players.
“Italy had better players than us, but we performed well as a team.”
Now that he has settled in at Dunfermline, the 6ft 6in defender shares the aspirations of his team mates for the remainder of the season.
“Everybody was concentrating on this game as, in football, the next game is always the most important,” he said.
“We were well prepared and hopefully we can now focus on our target, which is to finish the season in a play-off position.”