Dunfermline defender Andy Dowie believes his side are still in with a realistic chance of winning promotion to the SPL despite slumping to two defeats in the past week.
The Pars had been on a six-game unbeaten run before those devastating setbacks against Partick Thistle and Morton.
A host of experienced players such as Paul Gallacher, Scott Wilson and Scott Thomson all left East End Park last summer, but Dowie insists that inconsistency and not a lack of veterans has cost them this season.
But the former Rangers and Ross County centre-half is determined that Dunfermline will finish the season strongly starting tonight against Dundee.
“The last two results were very disappointing especially as we had managed to get ourselves right back up there,” he said.
“We just need to pick ourselves up and have a right go at Dundee.
“Inconsistency has been a big problem this year but I do not think we are alone in that as other clubs have struggled as well.
“Inevitably now, whoever goes on a good run will win the league.
“There are still three or four teams who are right in there with a chance.
“A lack of old heads may have cost us on occasions this year but I think that, overall, there is enough experience within the squad.Inconsistency hurts”If you are good enough, it does not really matter whether you are experienced or not.
“As I said earlier, inconsistency is what has hurt us this season but I do not think a few more veterans would have made a difference.
“We have just not played well enough in the past week but we are determined to change things round and clinch a victory over Dundee.
“Other teams may still have games in hand on us but you never know what is going to happen in those matches so we just have to make sure we do the business ourselves.
“I have played in the first division for a few years now and it is obviously my ambition to get out of the league with Dunfermline.
“There are a good few players here who could perform in the SPL so we will just have to keep working hard and see what happens.”Six cup finalsDowie’s manager Jim McIntyre also stressed that, despite the last two defeats, his side still have a realistic chance of clinching promotion by winning their remaining six “cup finals.”
“It was a disappointing week but we are still in with a chance,” he said.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult but we are not out of it and we will be fighting tooth and nail to try and do our best.
“Dundee have a different manager now but they have the same players. They are still a good side and they have been up there on merit for most of the season.
“They have been overtaken by Inverness but they are still a good side and will be a tough proposition for us.
“We have six ‘cup finals’ between now and the end of the season and we know we cannot afford to drop any more points.”
Graham Bayne, Andy Kirk, Stephen Glass, Alex Burke, David Graham and Graeme Holmes are out injured for tonight’s match while Joe Cardle is suspended following his red card at the weekend.