Passing was below par, says McIntyre

Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre expects his team to pass the ball better as they adapt to the pace and quality of the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League after they started their campaign with a goalless draw against St Mirren.

Saints outplayed Dunfermline during the first half and the home side needed Paul Gallacher's penalty save from Steven Thompson to keep the scores level.

Saints missed several more good chances in the first half as they moved the ball from side to side and got full-backs Jeroen Tesselaar and David van Zanten forward to good effect.

The Paisley side still created the better chances after the break but Dunfermline denied them as much space and the hosts came close twice through Martin Hardie free-kicks.

McIntyre said: "We can definitely pass the ball better. That's one thing we never did well, pass the ball.

"We are a better footballing side than what we showed, but you have got to give a lot of credit to St Mirren. I thought they passed the ball really well and pressed the game very well.

"I told the players this is a learning curve. You have got to learn quick because it's good sides, better players you are up against; quicker, stronger.

"As long as they keep working hard, we know we can play better football. But a point is a good start."

St Mirren manager Danny Lennon was happy with the way debutants Tesselaar, Thompson, Gary Teale and Nigel Hasselbaink performed.

"I thought they did terrific," Lennon said. "They are good football players and good football players can go and settle in anywhere. Young Nigel has still got to learn a great deal about the game when he is out of possession but he certainly lights it up when he has it."