Goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet made it a hat-trick of penalty saves as his crucial stop in the closing minutes ensured the Pars returned from Cappielow with all three points.

It would have been tough on Dunfermline had ex-Par Robbie Muirhead converted his late spot kick and denied the visitors a much-deserved victory - even more so considering Mehmet himself appeared to have been fouled in the lead-up to the penalty award.

However, the diving Pars 'keeper managed to push Muirhead's effort on to the post, and was lauded as a hero at the end by the travelling supporters. 

Dunfermline Press: Team mates ensure Deniz Mehmet takes the acclaim of the fans after the Pars victory on Saturday.Team mates ensure Deniz Mehmet takes the acclaim of the fans after the Pars victory on Saturday. (Image: Craig Brown)

"I felt I was fouled before the penalty, but the referee’s not seen it,” said Mehmet. “Thankfully I managed to save the penalty and we got the right outcome in the end.”

That's three in a row for Mehmet, having saved the previous two spot kicks he's faced from Raith Rovers' Callum Smith and Inverness Caley Thistle’s Billy McKay. 

“It’s a good habit to have but I don’t want to be facing any more penalties,” he said, smiling. “I just dive the right way and hope for the best!”

Dunfermline Press: Deniz Mehmet was in commanding form at Cappielow.Deniz Mehmet was in commanding form at Cappielow. (Image: Craig Brown)

While his penalty save proved crucial, Mehmet was also quick to praise the players in front of him who stood up to the challenge and contributed to the team keeping a clean sheet.

“It was a tough afternoon," he said. "A lot of teams come here and it’s a battle, it turns into a fight rather than a football game, but the boys dug in really well for the whole 90 minutes. Fair play, they did really well.”