Chris Smith Post Aberdeen

"The boys in front of me did really well to limit them to just one shot on target. Even defending from the front and all the way through the team meant that we deserved our clean sheet tonight.

Goalkeeper Chris Smith was pleased to achieve a shut out for the time that he played against Aberdeen on Wednesday night. He explained that this was something that they had been working hard on in training.

"After the Manchester United game we worked more on the defensive side of our game. The boys in front of me did really well to limit them to just one shot on target. Even defending from the front and all the way through the team meant that we deserved our clean sheet tonight.

"I had to hold only an easy shot to hold just before I came off, the boys pressed the Aberdeen player well so he didn't really get a clear shot on goal."

Chris acknowledged that the defence was needing a confidence building shut out having leaked 13 goals in the first three pre season friendlies.

"We have made some mistakes and we have been punished. It is good that it is pre season so that we can identify it. Against Aberdeen we dug in, pressed the ball and deservedly got the clean sheet."

Manchester United may not have brought their first team squad on Saturday but their reserve team was packed full of some of the World's best young talent.

"We watched the game back on Tuesday and we realised that we actually played good football in the first half. We kept the ball, knocked it about well but at the times when we made mistakes we got punished for it. Maybe it is a blessing in disguise that we can see where our errors were. It is highlighted more and you'd rather make them in pre season than going into competitive games and making mistakes.

"We looked at the Hibs game and the East Fife game and in the East Fife game we never covered ourselves in glory. We went in 3-0 down at half time but we put a brave face on it and went out in the second half and played some nice football. That's our strength and we will try and do that as much as possible.

"Arbroath are going to be a hard team to play against but we can only go out and do what we can do. You never know but hopefully on the day we will go through to the next round."

Chris is clear that to maintain the number one shirt this season he is going to have to keep the opposition out.

"When I signed for Dunfermline the gaffer told me to be aware of whose behind me. I know myself that Kyle (Allison) is a great keeper and when Greg (Paterson) comes back he will be a real presence behind me. Hopefully I can produce the performances to keep me in the team."

Former management team at St Mirren, Gus MacPherson and Andy Millen were at East End Park to watch Chris against Aberdeen and he had been made aware of that:-

"Gus is a great guy. St Mirren is where I learned my trade with him and Andy Millen. They have come to support us and I'm glad they are still looking over me."

Like everyone else at the club Chris is hoping to win promotion at Dunfermline:-

"This is a massive club and to get to the SPL again would be great. My main aim is to try and win every game."