Dunfermline can turn dismay at being ousted from the Scottish Cup into determination to win the first division, according to midfielder Alex Burke.
The Pars suffered the cruellest of fates at Pittodrie on Sunday, crashing out to Aberdeen thanks to an injury-time own goal from substitute Neil McGregor.
Burke, who was appearing for the first time since September, revealed the away dressing room was a miserable place at full-time however, he is confident misery can be replaced by a resolve to return to the SPL by clinching promotion.
“It wasn’t a nice way to lose a game after putting so much into it and the boys were distraught,” said Burke.
“Football is a cruel game but the thing we need to do, is use it in a positive way and help drive us towards the league title.Devastated”We were devastated, but as hard as it was to take, we must look at how well we played for 90 minutes of the game.
“We put in so much effort, dug in, stayed strong and put Aberdeen under pressure. We want to go to places like Pittodrie next season, but to do that we need to clinch promotion.
“We are sitting second in the league just now behind Raith Rovers and we have a game in hand on them. Also, there are still loads of games to go.
“Hopefully, we can use the cup game in such a way that we are not feeling dejected when it comes to the end of the season.
“The gaffer said to us after the game that we came to a big club like Aberdeen and held our own. That is how we should be thinking.
“He stressed that we should remember how horrible losing felt but make sure we are celebrating when it comes to May.”