Shaun wants another strike at Stenny

"We are in a good position now to really go and do well but there's ages to go so we are only looking as far ahead as Saturday.

Shaun Byrne has benefited by the absence of Andy Geggan in Dunfermline's last two games. The Pars skipper missed the Brechin City match while sitting out a one match suspension and then ironically a training ground injury caused him to miss the Ladbrokes League One game at Somerset Park last Saturday.

"I always want to play but there are some games better suited for other players. I just want to play in as many games as I can this season. It is the last year of my contract, I need to impress.

"I want to play every game but the midfield is probably the strongest part of our team position wise. We have got Josh (Falkingham), Geggs, Rhys (McCabe) and even Lewis Spence who has not played many games this season. So you have got to be on the top of your game all the time and in training.

"In the formation that were are playing there is only room for two midfielders, sometimes three so players have to be on the bench or missing out. It is difficult, you are frustrated."

Last Saturday's win over nearest rivals Ayr United was well celebrated by players and fans alike. Shaun continued:-

"Everyone was buzzing to be fair with just the way we won the game as well. We were in control at 1-0 but we have away a sloppy goal. I thought we were the best team up until then, causing a lot of problems but they pinned us back for a wee while after that.

"The sending off made a big change to the game but it galvanised us even more. We stuck together and it showed the team spirit that we have got this season. We could just have crumbled when Jojo got sent off. Hoppy (David Hopkirk) came on and scored a great goal.

"We put our bodies on the line for the last half hour. Everyone was on their last legs by the end of the game but you would do that any day for three points especially against Ayr to put us top of the league. We are in a good position now to really go and do well but there's ages to go so we are only looking as far ahead as Saturday.

"We will just take care of our business and not worry about Ayr; it is all about what we do. We are on a great run of eleven games unbeaten but one game at a time and keep taking three points.

Shaun scored against Stenhousemuir last time the sides met and he would dearly like to be given the chance to repeat that. His tally this season at four is already more than last season's and he acknowledged that his role is about trying to create chances and contribute with the odd goal if possible. He recalled:-

"I had just got back into the team. We play well that game, we played really well and scored a lot of goals. We have done really well on AstroTurf while we struggled on it last year.

"Stenhousemuir have picked up since then, they went on a good run and were up at fourth at one point. It will be a very tough game again."

A former team mate in the Dunfermline Youth Cup final team of 2013, Allan Smith, is now at Stenhousemuir and could return after a hernia kept him out. Shaun added:-

"He might play and he will want to come back here and do well and show why he should still be here. Allan is a good player and a good friend as well."