The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
O’Hara believes home games could be key to Pars’ play-off hopes
Kevin O’Hara reckons a run of three successive home games will be crucial as Dunfermline try to force their way back into the promotion play-offs.
Saturday’s draw means it’s now six in a row without a win for the punchless Pars, who trail fourth-top Inverness by two points but with a game in hand.
In an alarming slump, Dunfermline have won only four times since November when they topped the league after beating Hearts 2-1 at home.
But former Falkirk and Alloa striker O’Hara insists the Pars are well placed to book a top-four berth thanks to home advantage in the run-in.
Dunfermline entertain third-top Dundee tomorrow and then host Queen of the South and Arbroath before ending the regular season with a trip to bottom-placed Alloa.
O’Hara said: “I would much rather be playing at East End Park where we can take the game to other teams.
“It was disappointing not to get three points against Ayr but all the games ended in draws, so it doesn’t affect us and we are still in the same position going into Tuesday night.
“We now have three home games which will be massive and want to pick up maximum points if we can.
“In the last two performances the attitude and work rate has been really good.
“You’re always at your most vulnerable when you score a goal but I thought we got a good reaction after Ayr scored and we looked as if we would be the next team to score.
“The Dundee game is massive and one to look forward to. We just can’t wait to get back to training and start the preparations for that one.
“When you train hard every week, you obviously want to be in the side on a Saturday and I’m glad the gaffer is trusting me in these big games recently.
“I just want to do my best for the team and hopefully I can chip in with a few goals and assists.
“At the end of the day, it’s sometimes not about performances but getting the result that we need.
“The next three matches are at home and it means we can take the game to the other team and that’s what we’ll try to do.”
Declan McManus got Dunfermline off to a perfect start when he headed home a cross from Ewan Henderson on 12 minutes.
However, they were soon pegged back when Mark McKenzie was allowed to break down the left side and cut the ball back for Michael Miller to slide home the equaliser.
Ayr now head to Arbroath on Saturday with only a one-point lead over Dick Campbell’s men who fought back to draw 2-2 with Raith.