MICHAEL PATON admitted he was "gutted" that his first Pars goal failed to take them to the League Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night.

But the midfielder insists his team-mates will use their performance at Tannadice as a springboard to continue their fine start to the League One title challenge - starting with Saturday's visit of Airdrieonians.

Summer recruit Paton was delighted to finally open his Pars goalscoring account against Dundee United when his 25-yarder was fumbled by keeper Luis Zwick to give the underdogs an early lead.

That strike gave Allan Johnston's team belief that they could pull off a second City of Discovery upset after dumping Dundee in the previous round but goals in extra time from Scott Fraser and Blair Spittal edged the Premiership side through.

Speaking to Press Sport after the game, Paton said, "It is my first goal but I think I have to thank their keeper because it was a bit of a blunder - I turned away and then turned back and it was in! It's good to get a goal but it's been spoiled a wee bit by the defeat, although there's a lot of positives.

"It's gutting obviously after going ahead and even before that we were on top of the game and deserved the goal. After that, it looked as though we were going to go on and push for that second goal and maybe if we'd got it it puts the game to bed in the first half and we can regroup.

"But they get that goal and it was really high energy after that. Obviously who's going to get that next goal was going to be crucial but the boys should be really proud of the performance they put on. We're out the cup and our focus is now fully on the league; if we go out on Saturday with the same performance then we won't go far wrong."

Dunfermline dominated for long spells in the first half but were left to rue missed chances, particularly when Ryan Wallace rounded Zwick in first-half stoppage time and shot wide.

Paton added, "If that goes in then their fans would get on their back a wee bit and give us a lift but they're a good quality side. They're in the Premiership for a reason and I don't think we looked out of place - personally I thought in the first 25-30 minutes we looked the stronger team.

"If we'd got the second goal then we could've gone on and pushed for the win but I think we can be proud of ourselves. Even though it's a defeat, it didn't feel like a 3-1 to me and we can come out of it with a lot of positives."