McPake hails players’ character after they stand up to Morton

JAMES McPake hailed Dunfermline’s character and resilience as they refused to be “bullied” in a hard-fought victory over Morton.

Just seven weeks on from a 5-0 hammering from the Greenock side at East End Park, the Pars jumped over the hosts into fifth in the Championship thanks to Miles WelchHayes’ first goal for the club.

The second-half header was enough to separate the sides at full-time, but only thanks to a magnificent late penalty save from Deniz Mehmet – the keeper’s third in a row.

And, despite dismissing any suggestions of revenge for that February drubbing from Ton, McPake was thrilled with the style of his side’s win.

“It was a really important three points. And the manner in which we got them,” said McPake, who complained his side had been swept aside too easily in the last meeting.

“At no point were we bullied, or did we get caught up in the other side of the game.

“We stuck to the plan and we played some decent enough stuff when we could.

“There are loads of different things you need to get right on the day and today I thought we deserved the victory.

“I thought as a team we defended really well.

“Credit to them, they make you defend. They’re very direct, they put loads of balls in your box.

“With Bene (Kyle Benedictus) back in, since he’s come back, we’ve been doing that.”

Mehmet looked to have been fouled in the build-up to Morton’s penalty, awarded for a trip on Jai Quitongo by Ewan Otoo.

“It was a big save from Den, obviously, from the penalty,” said McPake. “But we should have been out of sight by then.

“But we showed great character.”

James McPake celebrates his side’s win at Morton.