Killie left sickened after Pars produce a late sucker punch
DUNFERMLINE manager Peter Grant singled out Dan Pybus’ contribution as the Pars snatched a late draw against Kilmarnock after the midfielder vomited on the pitch at least five times during the first half.
The former Queen of the South player had been laid low with a sickness bug during the week but made himself available for the game.
And Grant appreciated the 23-year-old’s effort after Aaron Comrie struck deep into stoppagetime to earn a point for the hosts, and perhaps keep the embattled Dunfermline boss in a job.
All the goals came in the second half, with Callum Hendry and Oli Shaw twice putting Killie in front either side of a Dom Thomas equaliser.
Grant, who was recently told by the club’s board that results must improve ‘quickly’, said: ‘Dan got out of his sick bed to play and great credit to him. He was sick five or six times in the first half, which is incredible really.
‘But the kid wanted to keep playing. I always liked Dan as a player when I played against him. He is very effective. He has a fantastic attitude to his game, a fantastic work ethic.
‘He texted me at 4.30am during the week telling me he was ill and asking if he could take the next day off.
‘So, we kept him away from the players, but he then comes into the team and puts a shift in.’
However, Pybus was powerless to stop Kilmarnock from claiming the lead in the 69th minute.
Jason Naismith kept a corner alive with an overhead kick and Hendry ghosted in at the back post to prod home his third goal since arriving on loan from St Johnstone. Thomas levelled six minutes later in bizarre circumstances, his deep, in-swinging cross from the right flank evaded everyone and nestled in the corner of Zach Hemming’s net.
However, those celebrations were short as the visitors regained the lead straight from kick-off.
Shaw slammed a clinical near-post finish past Owain Fon Williams after Ryan Dow’s fine tackle fell kindly into his path.
But just as winless Dunfermline, who remain bottom of the Championship, appeared destined for another galling defeat, Comrie popped up in the box to fire a Josh Edwards delivery into the roof of the net.
Grant, who has come in for fierce criticism from the Pars fans, added: ‘I can’t fault my players’ effort or commitment. I don’t care what they do as long as they give me everything on that football pitch and, to a man, they did that.
Visiting manager Tommy Wright said: ‘A draw was probably a fair result. We did enough in the 90 minutes in terms of creating loads of chances and getting into the right positions — but we didn’t work their goalkeeper enough.
‘We were loose in possession, but when you go 2-1 up you should see it out. It’s another point towards where we want to be and, although we haven’t played well, we got a point away from home.’