Published: Monday, 2nd November, 2009 10:59am

Pars urged to find 'cutting edge' for Raith derby

by Matt Meade

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Pars players celebrate as Graham Bayne's header hits the net

PARS boss Jim McIntyre urged his players to find their "cutting edge" for Saturday's Fife derby against Raith after a game in which Dunfermline came so close to grabbing all three points.

It was a spirited home showing against a formidable Dundee team that extended Pars' undefeated run to five games.

McIntyre said, "We're creating plenty of choices and our style of play is pleasing, but there has got to be a cutting edge.

"I just felt we had so many balls getting across the face of the box today that there had to be somebody on the end of it. There's got to be a goal - that's the bottom line.

"We'll keep working at it in training. But I'm so proud of the players today, I though they were excellent.

"After going a goal behind they came back looking like the team that was going to win it and Dundee were showing what a good team they are."

Dunfermline rued not taking chances in a first half where Jocky Scott's men could not match their opponent's distribution and aggression.

But Dundee struck after half-time when Gary Harkins lost his marker to head home powerfully past Greg Fleming in the 61st minute.

The equaliser came after an inspired substitution by McIntyre to introduce Graham Bayne in the 75th minute.

The tireless Willie Gibson won a free kick on the right wing which he then stuck on the head of Bayne just two minutes after the big Fifer came on.

The winner almost came in the 81st minute when Stephen Bell's cutting pass found David Graham through on goal.

It was heart-stopping moment for both sets of fans but 37-year-old Dundee keeper Tony Bullock pulled off a wonderful one-handed save to prevent a Pars win.

A re-energised Dundee then pushed for the winner while Dunfermline seemed content to soak up the pressure and grind out a draw in the dying minutes.

McIntyre praised his players for their undefeated run.

"Willie Gibson was different class, Graham bothered them with his pace and I'm delighted for big Bayney to come on and bang in the goal," he said.

"It was a real cheap goal we gave away from a set piece. That was disappointing and you think 'here we go,' especially after having played so well. But we made a change then defended better.

"We're not the finished article yet but we're defending better and if you defend well it gives you a platform to go on and win the game."