Back-to-back wins have Dunfermline believing again

EAST END PARK: Gaffer buoyant as on-form side move up to fifth in table

Dunfermline now believe again after back-to-back wins lifted them to fifth in the Championship ahead of tonight’s visit of Partick Thistle, according to manager Stevie Crawford.

The Pars struggled at first following the departure of manager Allan Johnston and the appointment of Crawford as his successor.

The former Dunfermline and Scotland striker went four games without a victory before finally getting the monkey off his back with the badlyneeded triumph over Inverness Caley Thistle 10 days ago.

With consecutive clean sheets giving the Fifers another three points in Saturday’s 1-0 victory away to Ayr United, Crawford is convinced things are looking up again at East End Park.

Five points adrift of fourth place, he said: “Teams coming now to East End will hopefully say ‘look at Dunfermline in the last couple of games, they have had a couple of clean sheets and are difficult to beat now’.

“We also have that threat going forward and a belief about us.

“It is important if you don’t lose goals, you can then build on trying to be creative. But it also brings a good spirit to the place, not just with the players, but the staff and everybody.

“We were in a tricky situation and having gone back to back against Inverness, who have scored goals all season, and Ayr United, who are a threat, to keep clean sheets will build confidence throughout the team.”

Thistle crashed back to the bottom of the Championship table with Saturday’s 4-2 defeat at home to league leaders Ross County.

The setback arrested a run of five straight victories for the Jags, who have been rejuvenated since manager Gary Caldwell’s work in freshening up his squad last month.

But, given that record prior to the weekend, Crawford knows the Pars will face an extremely tough 90 minutes ahead of another home game against Queen of the South on Saturday.

He said: “Gary Caldwell has managed to put a different dimension into Partick in the January transfer window. They have picked up and gone on a good run of five wins.

“But, having lost the game at the weekend, they will come with a bit to prove. It is important that we are ready for that.

“We have two big games against Partick and Queen of the South and hopefully we can send the fans home with smiles on their faces.”

Saturday was a third clean sheet in four games for goalkeeper Ryan Scully since he returned to the club last month.

And he has urged the defence to continue doing its job, to then give the attackers the opportunity to win matches, as they have done in the last two games.

He said: “If you keep a clean sheet there is a good chance that you will get a result on a Saturday.

“It has been hard this season, defending well but just not getting the chances to put the ball in the net.”

We have two big games against Partick and Queen of the South and hopefully we can send the fans home with smiles on their faces. STEVIE CRAWFORD

Picture: SNS Group. Dunfermline manager Stevie Crawford has his side climbing the Championship.