GAVIN EMERSON has said Dunfermline's first league win of the season has put them in "a good place" but says they won't underestimate this weekend's opponents.

The McKane Park club's first XV travel to Perthshire on Saturday having secured their first success in National Division Four since promotion last term, defeating Murrayfield Wanderers on home turf.

Head coach Emerson noted the importance of securing their first victory, which came with a try-scoring bonus point, following their opening day defeat at North Berwick.

It was achieved despite a red card which put them down to 14 players and will see them head into this weekend's encounter in confident mood.

Their opponents have lost both of their matches - 33-28 at Murrayfield, and 24-12 at home to Stewarty - but have picked up one try-scoring, and one losing, bonus point.

"Had we have lost on Saturday I think it would be a tough one this week, going to Perth," Emerson commented.

"Perth are not to be underestimated. They're a good team - they've got a good, strong bunch of boys, and they'll probably put a different challenge on us.

"Perth have had two losses but they're not to be underestimated. They've got a good set up and they play a strong type of rugby which you can't hide away from, otherwise they'll put you to the sword.

"We just need to front up this weekend again and be ready to get stuck in about them."

When asked about the importance of putting the first win on the board so soon, the head coach continued: "I think a lot of it is just the belief of the boys.

"The forwards really upped their game from last week. They got some real strong carries, putting the backs in some good positions so we could play out wide and get the ball on the edge. The forwards have got some brownie points back with the backs!

"It puts us in a good place going forward for this week but, obviously, with these hard games we do take injuries. We just need to try and assess and see where the boys are for this week.

"We had a couple of 18s stepping in for their debuts as well, which is always great to see, and on that big occasion as well, it would probably be quite nervous for them.

"We played some really good rugby. When we had the ball, and we played with tempo, and we had a clean breakdown to play off that, we moved the ball so well. They were struggling to regroup and get in their defensive line, which started to leave gaps, and we did just pick away at it.

"It's just finding how do we continue that for longer? How do we constantly have that?

"I guess it's how do we teach the boys to put a team to bed, and actually know when they're put to bed."

Kick off at the North Inch is at 3pm. Elsewhere, Dunfermline's 2nd XV begin their Caledonia Midlands Region League, Division Two, season at home to Alloa, with the action beginning at 3pm at McKane Park.