Dunfermline boss Jim Jefferies was far from happy when he finally emerged from the visitors’ dressing room after a disappointing defeat againstAirdrieonians.
Jefferies, who banned his players from speaking to the press, was less than impressed as he criticised his defence for not defending, his midfield for not matching attacking runs from the hosts and his strikers for not scoring.
Jefferies said: “I would not just blame the defence. You defend as a team from the front and the midfield players are getting caught up trying to attack all the time. They are not doing their job when we lose the ball as they are not keeping their shape.
“What they are doing is leaving gaps and we are getting caught. We are back to gifting goals and that is what is putting us under pressure to score. We are not doing that side of it either.”
The Pars boss had been looking for better from his men after their Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Stranraer last Tuesday but they were a goal down after less than three minutes.
Home defender Ben Richards-Everton released former East End Park favourite Paddy Boyle on the left and his low cross reached Bryan Prunty who side-footed home via a post.
Alan Smith missed a great chance to equalise before the break when he sent a shot wide after good build-up play from Michael Moffat.
Instead Dunfermline found themselves two down 10 minutes after the break.
Again Boyle was the creator with his low cross from the left turned in by Nathan Blockley at the back post.
Airdrie were on easy street after scoring again on 64 minutes when Marc Fitzpatrick drove home from the edge of the box after Dunfermline’s tormentor-in-chief Jim Lister had set up the chance.
Gregor Buchanan nodded in a consolation goal from a Ross Millen corner six minutes from time.