Managers post Dundee United

Link to audio of both managers

Allan Johnston said:-

"I am disappointed with the result. I think the first goal was probably going to be the winner. We had a great opportunity just before they scored. We missed the chance and they go up the park and score.

"I don`t think there was much between the two teams. It was a pretty even game. We had a couple of half chances, they tried to catch us on the break a couple of times. We cannot complain about the boys attitude and effort. I thought they gave everything but sometimes we need to pick the right pass and get that bit of quality in the final third."

It might have been so different had Michael Moffat converted the 30th minute chance.

"He was stretching for it. It was a great ball in from Rhys McCabe but they still had to defend it. The keeper has saved it and they have broke and we have obviously got to defend better when the chance comes along."

The Pars keeper Sean Murdoch had plenty to do:-

"He had some good saves but I thought we had the majority of the play. In the second half. They looked content just to sit in and try and frustrate, try and timewaste at home. I suppose they were just desperate for a win because of the run they have been on."

Did the Pars gaffer think that there was a case for a Dunfermline penalty in the second half?

"It is hard to see from where we were. I don`t think there was much in it to be honest. We got in really good areas tonight and it was just the final ball that let us down. That wee bit of quality just to unlock the defence. That is what we need to improve on."

The defeat leaves Dunfermline eleven points behind fourth placed Morton with four match remaining, one of which is against Morton. It would take a huge turn up in results to take the Pars to more than fifth place. The manager gave not an unsurprising comment to the suggestion that was as good as his team could finish.

"We just need to finish the season as strongly as possible. You can see how tight the league is as well so it is important that we get as many wins between now and the end of the season. We don`t want to let our heads go down. We have not got beat in a lot of games lately so it is important that we respond in the right manner and make sure that we get a result at the weekend."

Was the manager concerned that there have been so few goals coming from open play in the last half a dozen games?

"I don`t think it is through lack of chances. For me there has been a lot of good play, we have created a lot of good chances and it is as simple as we have to be more clinical when the chances come along.

"That has probably been our downfall lately but you cannot fault the way the players have played."

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