Dunfermline boss Jim Jefferies insists he is immensely proud of his side despite last night’s 3-1 League One defeat against Rangers at Ibrox.
The young Pars went toe to toe throughout with the unbeaten league leaders but their brave resistance was finally broken in the 70th minute through a Lee McCulloch penalty.
It was a real double whammy for the Pars with Jordan Moore being sent for an early bath following the incident that led to the award of the spot-kick.
Rangers increased their lead with Jon Daly’s 15th goal of the season before Dunfermline pulled one back through Josh Falkingham.
However, Bilel Mohsni hit the home side’s third in stoppage time to secure all three points.
Jefferies said: “I felt the penalty was a very soft award. A young boy who is 20 years old throwing Lee McCulloch about . . . I don’t believe it.
“So that was a big blow for us. This was the first time a lot of the lads had been inside the stadium let alone played in it.
“I am proud of every one of them. They are a young, young team and we have no experienced players at this level at all.”
Jefferies added: “They gave a good account of themselves but we just didn’t get the breaks.They will learn from that.”