KYLE BENEDICTUS has called upon the "extremely disappointed" Pars squad to put their promotion play-off blow behind them and ensure they consolidate their Championship place for next season.
The Dunfermline captain felt he and his team-mates "never turned up" during Saturday's defeat at Airdrieonians, which has left hopes of finishing in the top four hanging by a thread.
With three games to go, they are nine points behind both the Diamonds, who stay fourth, and Partick Thistle, with those teams also enjoying 11 and 13 goal advantages over Athletic.
It looks unlikely that James McPake's side will be able to finish in the Premiership play-off places, and they are still not mathematically assured of avoiding being involved in the end of season games at the other end of the table.
Queen's Park, following their defeat to Inverness Caledonian Thistle, are now second bottom and in the relegation play-off position, and head to KDM Group East End Park this Saturday.
The Pars are six points clear of the Spiders, with a goal difference that is eight better off, and know three points will rubber-stamp their Championship status, whilst a a draw would all-but do likewise.
"Realistically. I know it's nine points and they've got a superior goal difference, so it's very unlikely, but we're six points away from ninth now," Benedictus replied when asked if hopes of reaching the promotion hopes ended by losing at Airdrie.
READ MORE: 'We got exactly what we deserved': Pars boss on Diamonds defeat
"That's where we need to aim. We've got three games left just to make sure we're in this division.
"That group of teams doesn't get much tighter. It just keeps getting tighter and tighter. We need to make sure we're not putting any pressure on ourselves and go and get three points next week.
"We've been on a decent run ourselves. Obviously, we came up very short today, and full credit to Airdrie again, but we dust ourselves down and now we to be looking over our shoulder.
"We need to make sure that we train properly this week and get ready for a big one on Saturday."
During a campaign in which the team have been hit by injuries, some long-term, to key players - Benedictus included - the 32-year-old felt that consolidating in their first season after winning League One last year wouldn't be a bad outcome for Dunfermline.
"Yeah, taking that into consideration," he said.
"I've mentioned it before, all the injuries we've had and the time that it's taken to get boys back, but that doesn't take away what's happened today.
"Most boys were back today and we didn't perform, in probably our biggest game. We knew what was at stake today, and we've not turned up, so we need to make sure we put it right next week."
The centre back, who said he took a kick to the back of his Achillies when making a superb challenge on Lewis McGregor, who ran in on goal aiming to add a third goal for Airdrie, which forced him off, felt their opponents were worthy winners.
"We're extremely disappointed," he commented.
"Obviously, we knew what was at stake today, and we just never turned up. Full credit to Airdrie. They were miles better first half. Second half, we did better, but not good enough all round as a team. I thought Airdrie deserved the three points to be honest.
"First half I thought they were miles ahead. They had a lot of options on the ball and we didn't get close enough."
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