Manager Post Ayr United
Saturday, 12th Mar 201612/03/16: AJ - "It is another game gone, another step closer but we have been in the game long enough not to get complacent because that is when you start getting beat."
- - Listen to this Allan Johnston Interview
Allan Johnston was pleased with the way his team responded well to the disappointment of the midweek draw against Albion Rovers:-
"They are all massive games when it comes to this end of the season; these are the games that you have to win. It was a hard pitch to play on, the surface wasn't great.
"First half there wasn't much in it between the two teams. They looked dangerous at setpieces because we gave away a lot of silly free kicks but in the second half I thought we totally dominated. We scored some brilliant goals.
"There are no easy games in this league, you could see that with us dropping points against Albion Rovers. Everybody is fighting for something, whether relegation or play offs. It was a massive three points at Ayr, it is a hard place to come but I thought we were much the better team.
"We created good chances and it was a special goal - the second one from Faiss - I don't think you will see much better finishing than that."
The first goal was also scored by Faissal El Bakhtaoui and the 62nd minute opener was special as well.
"Ryan Wallace picked the ball up and found him with a great pass. Obviously he took it really well as well but that is what we have been doing all year, we have been scoring a lot of goals. It is fantastic to come down here, always a hard place to come, and win in the manner in which we did.
"We just take one game at a time which I know is an old cliche but it is, you always just focus on the next game. It is another game gone, another step closer but we have been in the game long enough not to get complacent because that is when you start getting beat."
The three wins at Ayr this season, albeit one on the Scottish Cup can be identified as very significant in determining the outcome of the title at the end of the season. Combined with the tremendous 3-2 win at East End Park when the Pars came back from two goals behind to win, that means nine of the twelve points on offer against Ian McCall's side have gone to Dunfermline.
"It is. Look at the consistency that the boys have shown, they have been amazing this year. There were some really good performances again today, even the defence Ben, Brad, Jason and Reidy they defended really well. Look through the whole team - Geggs and Josh were really strong in the middle of the park. I thought they dominated it in there and were always a threat with the front four we have got there."
The two goals for Faiss takes him to a total of 26 goals for the season which is more than two thirds of what six of the other nine teams in League One have scored themselves so far this season. His manager was delighted with Faiss:-
"They have all been different types of goals as well. He must be a nightmare to play against. It was actually one of his quieter games today, believe or not, he is usually even better than that. So that speaks volumes for the way that he has been playing all season."
The attendance at Somerset Park was Ayr's best home gate of the season and was more than double the normal attendance. Allan Johnston agreed that every team in League One goes out to stifle Dunfermline.
- - Listen to Ian McCalls post match comments
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