St Mirren 4 - 4 Dunfermline; Eight goal thriller no help to Pars

DUNFERMLINE manager Jim Jefferies bemoaned familiar failings after his team’s increased goalscoring threat was undermined by slack defending in an incredible 4-4 draw.

The Clydesdale Bank Premier League bottom club came from two goals down to level through Andy Kirk, but a 12th SPL game without a win leaves them with a mountain to climb

Jefferies stated before the game that victory was a must, and that target was evident as he started with Kyle Hutton and David Graham in very advanced midfield positions behind front pair Martin Hardie and Liam Buchanan. He succeeded emphatically in improving their attacking play. The frustration was that they were undone by poor defensive work rather than being exposed by their open approach.

Jefferies said: “As [St Mirren assistant] Tommy Craig said to me, you have done well because every time we went up the park we looked like we were going to score. But you shouldn’t score four goals away from home and not win. We have shot ourselves in the foot.

“There has never been any problem with the commitment, but they keep making the same mistakes, and at this level they keep getting punished.”

The first error, and arguably the worst, came in the fourth minute when the visiting back four left Nigel Hasselbaink all alone while failing to play him offside before the Dutchman made the most of Paul McGowan’s through ball.

Jordan McMillan curled an impressive and well-deserved leveller midway through the half, but Steven Thompson headed home either side of the break.

Graham’s well-worked response was undone when Joe Cardle lost possession deep in his half before Thompson struck again. But Buchanan soon hit a wonderful strike before Kirk converted Cardle’s cross.

Jefferies was angry with his players and added: “Steven Thompson shows why he has played at a high level. He gets in there and uses his physical presence. But that’s what you have to face at this level and we were second best to it and that’s why he got two goals in the air, which shouldn’t happen.”

St Mirren manager Danny Lennon was also frustrated with his side’s defending from wide areas and was “absolutely livid” that they had conceded a lead so often.

Lennon, who is desperate to guide Saints higher than 10th in the SPL for the first time, said: “We have everything to play for. I believe in the character and the frustration and anger I have is because I know they can do it. But they must have the belief and desire and commitment.

“While we are safe, our season is certainly not finished. We are hungry to succeed and do something this club has not done for 27 years and that’s finish higher than 10th. We have ambition to go seventh but it seems we will have to do it the hard way.”