The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
On-loan striker stays cool to earn point for the Pars
It is no coincidence the arrival of Chris Kane at East End Park in February has dovetailed with Dunfermline’s recent resurgence of form.
The on-loan St Johnstone frontman endeared himself further to the Pars faithful with his third goal since arriving at the club in Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Partick Thistle.
His late penalty equaliser against the Pars’ play-off rivals extended the Fifers’ unbeaten run to four games and keeps them in contention for a place in the top four.
“Momentum in the dressing room is good just now” said Kane.
“It’s been good since the day I came here.
“The boys were going through a bad spell at the time I arrived, but the changing room wasn’t downbeat.
“The more positive results we can get then the more upbeat we will be and hopefully we can now go on and get more.”
Kane indicated the Dunfermline players were disappointed they didn’t take all three points against the inform Jags, who sit third in the Championship table, eight points ahead of fifth-placed Pars.
The striker said: “Obviously we wanted to win today and make it four wins out of four.
“They went one-nil up and made it hard for us, but I thought we were excellent in the second half.
“On another day we could have scored three or four.
“We are disappointed we didn’t win, but it could prove to be a big point at the end of the season.”
Dunfermline began the game in promising fashion, Kane testing Thistle keeper David Mitchell early on with a close-range header.
However, for the remainder of the first half, the Maryhill team were well on top.
Brian Graham and Aidan Fitzpatrick had efforts blocked on the goal-line by Pars defenders Kyle Benedictus and Miles Welch-hayes before top scorer Graham gave them the lead midway through the first half with a deflected shot.
Dunfermline regrouped after the interval and drew level 11 minutes from time, Kane converting from the penalty spot after he had been tripped by Aaron Muirhead.
In a frantic finish Kane almost snatched victory for the home side with a shot which rebounded from Mitchell’s right-hand post.
Kane said: “I thought my shot was going in. I think the wind took it on to the post. On another day it would have been a goal.”