GIVEN Tuesday was, by his own admission, one of the worst games he’s been involved in, Andy Geggan can fully appreciate frustration felt by the Pars faithful.

But the skipper says encouragement from the stands rather than flack will provide his team-mates with a bigger boost in their quest to finish as high in the Championship as they can – and make sure they’re not worrying about what’s happening beneath them.

In fact, the ever-positive midfielder-turned-full back still believes Dunfermline can string together a sequence of results that can at least put some pressure on fourth-top Morton, who occupy the final promotion play-off slot.

Geggan himself cut a frustrated figure following the midweek draw with Queen of the South when he spoke to Press Sport, lamenting the fact that the Pars didn’t reach the high performance levels they have set in recent weeks.

“It’s frustrating that we never played to the standards that we can play,” he commented.

“The game was one of the worst I’ve ever played in if I’m honest. It was just scrappy; they sat behind us and tried to break on us but it was just one of those things. I actually thought Nicky got the goal when it come off the inside of the post – I don’t know how it stayed out – but unfortunately that’s how it goes and you get games like this.

“I thought right to the end we were going to get the goal but it was just one of those nights. It was flat all round; the atmosphere was flat and the game was flat. We just need to move on and see how we go on Saturday.”

In an interview ahead of Saturday’s match with Dumbarton, the popular 29-year-old spoke about receiving criticism from some supporters, and the home crowd made their frustrations known at points during the Queens game.

But Geggan continued: “The pitch is to blame for the misplaced passes but it’s just like having the 12th man when you’ve got the crowd behind you; it gives you that wee boost to the system.

“I said in an interview that it (getting stick) happens in football. Everybody gets a bit of stick but it doesn’t bother me; it goes over my head. I’d rather have the fans that encourage you and the team.”

After starting the season in his customary box-to-box midfield role, injuries in defence prompted boss Allan Johnston to field him at right back.

He has made the position his own during the Pars’ run of just one defeat in 17 games in all competitions and Geggan admits he’s happy to play anywhere – but ruled out following Raith Rovers’ Ryan Stevenson in having a go in goal.

He laughed: “That’ll be my next position! It’s not been too bad but as long as I’m playing, I’m happy. I’m quite enjoying it in there just now; I kinda miss midfield in a way but I just try to help the team out as much as I can. I’m more than happy to play there and do my bit for the team.

“I think every game until the end of the season is a massive game for us. Obviously we want to still challenge for fourth place if possible; you can’t say no can you?

“We need to have that wee bit of belief. Morton haven’t had that bit of pressure on them all season so if we go on a good wee run and start putting pressure on them then you never know what can happen.

“We just want to keep looking forward.”