HE WAS a target for the fans who used to love him but Kallum Higginbotham says Falkirk's punters simply inspired him on Saturday.

The Pars winger admitted that he was thrilled to find the net and get one over his former employers to silence the boo-boys – and keep Athletic's promotion push going.

Higginbotham, who both scored and was ordered off the last time the pair met at the Falkirk Stadium in November, fired Dunfermline ahead before having a hand in what turned out to be the winner from Fraser Aird.

The 28-year-old wasn't shy in celebrating his seventh goal of the season and, asked whether he enjoyed the moment, he said: "I did, I'm not going to lie!

"They gave me dog's abuse so I think it's right that the player can give a little bit back. I thought a few of them were going to jump the boards and run on the pitch!

"But it's all part and parcel of football.

"I loved my time when I was there so I've not got a bad word to say about the club but if they're giving me stick I'm going to give it back, it's as simple as that.

"I don't understand where it's come from. I know when you sign for the rivals they're going to look at you in a bad light but it really started the year before when I came here with Kilmarnock in the play-offs.

"They were booing me in the warm-up so I just love scoring against them and getting it up the fans now. Simple as that.

"We know how much it means to the fans and how much it means to the club, regardless of what's at stake in the league, so it was vital we got the three points.

"We got that and, looking at the other results, they've all gone our way as well so we're just hitting form at the right time.

"Hopefully, come the end of the season, we're in the play-offs and we can carry that form on."

Higginbotham continued: "We've still got three massive games. We've got to go and win them now and see where it takes us.

"We want the play-offs and, if we win those three games, then we'll be in the play-offs.

"We want to get the club back up to where I believe it belongs, which is the Premiership. We're on a great run at the minute and, if that continues, we've got a great chance of doing that.

"We've got a great team spirit at the minute and we're going into every game, no matter who we're playing, believing we can get the three points.

"I'm just enjoying being back in the side and contributing to the great run that we're on at the minute. Long may that continue."