Steven McDougall Post Dundee

"In the second half it looked as though there was only going to be one team that was going to win. I thought we could maybe have sneaked a win but it just wasn't to be.

Steven McDougall felt that Dunfermline really reacted strongly to the Manager's half time talk at Dens Park:-

"He told us to believe in ourselves. We went out in the second half and showed that we could play. It wasn't enough today but hopefully we can go out next week and get a result. We need to take positives out of our performance.

"I put the ball across for the second goal, it was a good header back from Davie (Graham) - I don't think he is renowned for heading the ball but it was a great header and Kirkie was there to finish it off."

The 50th minute equaliser gave hope that Dunfermline might be able to go on and register their first win at Dens Park since October 2004.  Many chances were created but Rab Douglas was not to be beaten a third time.

"In the second half it looked as though there was only going to be one team that was going to win. I thought we could maybe have sneaked a win but it just wasn't to be.  It was really disappointing."

Leigh Griffiths goal eight minutes from time sealed the Pars fate and left them 17 points behind league leaders Dundee.  It was a disappointment not just for Steven and his team mates but for all the contenders trying to catch Dundee in the First Division.  Looking forward to the next match at Firhill on Saturday and beyond,  Steven claimed that they just need to pick up as many points where and when they can, from the remaining 17 league matches:-

"The more wins we can put together will take us up the table and we will just have to see where we are at the end of the season."

The former Airdrie United midfielder is enjoying playing upfront for Dunfermline.  International duty for Andy Kirk and a foot injury to Graham Bayne has made way for him to get a regular start. Steven McDougall has now made 16 appearances for the Pars, 8 of them were starts but he now faces a new challenge since Player / Manager Jim McIntyre has got himself back to match fitness:-

"He has been back training for a couple of weeks now, hopefully he doesn't do too well and take my position but it is good to have him back."