Managers Post Partick

McCall - "Dunfermline were hanging on, it was a big result for them because they have been struggling so good luck to them. Getting beat today was a travest

Mark Burchill nets the winner

Stephen Kenny was pleased with the victory over Partick but conceded that it was not one of his team's better performanves:-

"It is probably one of our scrappiest performances of the season. We had a bit of a patched up team, then we had to patch it up again at half time but we managed to get those elusive three points that have been denied to us.

"We have played an awful lot better than that this season and not won. For us to get the win was pleasing. It was not a question of playing brilliant football today, it was more a question of showing a bit of spirit about ourselves and defending when we needed to with honesty in our efforts.

"Although our quality let us down sometimes in the final third, the players fought hard for each other which is very important. You can't underestimate that.

"Mark Burchill missed the game against Hearts, he was in bed all week with a virus. He came in yesterday and trained and then played but with ten minutes to half time he just felt that he had nothing left. He felt he had no energy."

For a man struggling with no energy Mark's ninth minute goal was remarkable for his individual contribution. Stephen Kenny reflected:-

"It was an inspirational goal, an absolutely excellent goal that he made himself and scored himself. It was a really good finish.

"There were a lot of good performances, we had to rush people back - Nicky Phinn and Scott Thomson. Scott came in today thinking he was not really going to be involved but he had to come on at half time and did a job for us. We just need to rally round each other and defend well."

Scott Thomson was required after Darren Young's calf muscle had tightened up, the Manager added:-

"We had a tough 120 minutes during the week and extra time was tough on the players and it took its toll on them a bit today. We weren't free flowing or anything, I wouldn't like to talk it up but we showed the different qualities that you need sometimes.

"We have played a lot better. In matches recently we have drawn but played a lot better than we did today. We defended well on the day and shown an honesty about ourselves. We have scored a good goal and I think we were due that win."

Partick Thistle Manager, Ian McCall was brief with his post match analysis:-

"We should have scored in the first minute, Dunfermline got their goal but I don't think they had another chance. Stephen Glass maybe, but from their point of view it was a good goal, from our point of view it was shocking.

"Second half we totally and utterly dominated. You might think it was a rubbish game but I have seldom been as proud of a team. It was their thirteenth game but they just gave everything. We had a lot of chances, a lot of balls across the back.

"Dunfermline were hanging on, it was a big result for them because they have been struggling so good luck to them. Getting beat today was a travesty in my opinion."

Stephen Kenny thought that "travesty" was an overstatement:-

"I wouldn't say travesty, there weren't loads of chances at both ends. Partick Thistle didn't really have that many clear cut chances in the game. We didn't have that many either - we had a few and they had a few. Any saves that Paul Gallacher had to make were comfortable saves. They are a good side Partick Thistle, they will be up there in the top three or four at the end of the season. They are one of the better sides in the league, so for us to get a win was important.

"Things have not been going that well here recently with results in the league. we had won three and drawn three before losing to Clyde. Games have taken their toll; two Challenge Cup, one CIS Cup, two European games and the Scott Thomson Testimonial - six midweek games concurrently. We have had fellows carried off but thankfully we got the win that we needed."