BIG moments need big players to deliver and Joe Cardle believes he and his Pars mates stepped up at the right time.

Now he’s determined that they won’t let the chance of securing a place in the Premiership play-offs slip on Saturday – as they still have even more to give.

Fans’ favourite Cardle stepped off the bench in the vital clash with Inverness as Dunfermline trailed 2-1 and heading for a costly defeat.

But, in a moment he says he’ll always remember, he supplied the ammunition from a free kick for Nicky Clark to head home the dramatic 95th-minute equaliser and leave Athletic one win against second-bottom Dumbarton away from securing a play-off with Dundee United.

The 31-year-old told Press Sport that while finishing in the top four would be a creditable achievement, he is setting his sights on more – if they can finish the job off at East End against the Sons.

“We knew that we had to get the goal,” he said of the incredible finish at the Caledonian Stadium. "It’s my job to make goals first and foremost and thankfully I put it on the right spot for Nicky; he made a fantastic run, got on the end of it and scored the vital goal.

“The belief was there and it’s moments like that in games where players like myself step up and, thankfully, it happened.

“There’s plenty of players in the changing room that could’ve done it but I’m just thankful I could play my part.

“It was a massive goal but we’re not there yet and we need to finish the job on Saturday.

“The aim this season was to get into the play-offs so hopefully, if we do the business Saturday, we’re in there and then it’s anyone’s.

“But we need to get there first and foremost and we need to take care of it ourselves. It’s obviously a massive game for us so we’re just looking forward to the game now, hopefully get the three points and we can look forward to the next few weeks.”

Cardle reckons their fighting spirit shone through and went a long way to securing what could be a priceless point in the Highlands, and continued: “I think that’s the sign of a good team.

“The boys were determined to get something out of the game. It was kind of going against us but we dug in for the last few minutes and it paid off.

“To score a goal like that, so late on in the game and in front of the away fans, was fantastic and it’s a moment I’ll always remember.

“The boys have been great. We’ve had to grind out a few results but I think that’s part and parcel of the league we’re in, and the situation it is.

“As long as we keep winning, you just never know what can happen.”

Cardle starred for the Pars when they last competed in the top flight back in 2011-2012.

When he rejoined, the winger said it was his aim to help the club back to the top, and he commented: “We’re halfway there.

“We got promoted in the first season I was here but the Championship is a hard league to get out of. To get in the play-offs is an achievement but to get out of them is a massive one.

“They’re going to be tough games no matter who’s in them but, as long as we get in there, we’ve got to take it game by game and then go from there.

“That’s why I came back in the first place. I was in the SPL with Ross County and I had to come down a couple of leagues to come to Dunfermline, but that was the plan.

“I felt I had unfinished business here and I still do. I still feel I’ve got more to give and the club have got more to give to get back into the top league and show everyone what we want to achieve.

“But we need to finish the job off on Saturday. It’s in our hands.”

Cardle’s eldest daughter, Josie-Anne, proved a lucky charm at Inverness, and he laughed: “If we keep winning she’ll need to keep coming!”