Neil Lennon declared Dunfermline are ‘nearly there’ but ‘not celebrating yet’ in their battle against relegation after a goalless draw with Partick Thistle all but secured Championship safety.
The Pars remain in seventh place and, thanks to Airdrie’s defeat at home to Morton, are six points ahead of the Diamonds with just two games remaining.
A goal difference that is 14 better off means it would take an extraordinary turn of events for the Fifers to be caught.
And, with the teams facing each other at East End Park next Saturday, second-tier status remains firmly in Dunfermline’s hands.
“I’d like to think so,” said Lennon when asked if he was hopeful the draw would be enough to avoid the relegation play-off place.
“We’re keeping a lot of clean sheets. That’s three in the last four games, which is pleasing.
“So, we’ve been tougher to beat and we’ve picked up a few points. That’s seven out of 12.
“So, yes, we’re nearly there. Mathematically we’re not, but we’ll get a point maybe along the way and that’ll do.
“We’re not celebrating yet, obviously, but we’ve put ourselves in a very strong position.”
The other lingering doubt is over the 15-point deduction handed down by the SPFL on Thursday to Hamilton Accies, who have indicated they intend to appeal the sanction for multiple rule breaches.
Lennon on Hamilton Accies
“That was the first thing I said on Thursday or Friday when they came in,” added Lennon when asked if Dunfermline had to ignore Accies’ predicament, which currently sees them relegated in bottom spot.
“What you don’t want is people saying you only stayed up because of the Hamilton situation. So, we’ve got to do it on our own accord.
“It’s been a difficult season for the club. We’re nearly seeing the back of it now, and then thoughts now are going to be in the next few weeks about going forward.”
It was a poor match on a difficult surface at East End Park, with Dunfermline registering just one shot on target – and that came in injury-time when David Wotherspoon was denied by David Mitchell on the break.
Partick interim player-boss Brian Graham struck the crossbar from close range in the second-half and there were another couple of anxious moments.
But, with Michael O’Halloran partnering Chris Kane in attack before the latter succumbed to his calf issues just short of the hour mark, the Pars defence stood strong.
“It’s a very valuable point, considering we looked nervous today,” said Lennon. “And I’ll be glad to see the back of that pitch because it’s holding us back in the way we want to play.
“And also we’ve got a few important players missing at the minute and we’ve had to put a few square pegs in round holes.
“But the majority of the hard work’s done now with the way the results have gone.”
Conversation