ATHLETIC have given their backing to under-pressure manager Peter Grant this afternoon and have urged everyone "with DAFC in their heart" to stick together after a poor start to the campaign.

Speculation had mounted over the former Alloa boss' future after Saturday's 1-0 loss at Queen of the South, which left Dunfermline winless and bottom of the Championship after eight games.

READ MORE: Pars give boss Grant backing

The end of the game saw some of the travelling support express their displeasure at how the season has started, which led the club's statement to describe "the behaviour of a handful of supporters at the end of Saturday's match" as "completely unacceptable".

Dunfermline supporters who have taken to the Press website and social media channels to offer their thoughts on today's news have largely been united in their views over the managerial situation - as well as on the comments about the supporters.

On the Press website, user 'aceg70' said: "If Peter Grant has " given everything to try and do it right " then that means he has nothing left to give."

On Facebook, Craig Mackenzie opined: "The guy has got a really good squad he just dosent seem to be able to get them winning games", whilst Campbell Macpherson commented: "Do I think it's the right decision? Long story short NAW!"

On Twitter, David Hamilton expressed his fear that "watch the pay at the gate numbers dwindle away", and expressed his feeling that "the fans need to believe we are listened to".

Another user, Iain, said that it was "not the statement I expected and disappointed in this", going on to say: "Not one to call for a manager to go but things clearly haven't worked out and would have been better to accept that. It's created a division between the fans and the board I didn't think would return".

Grant Lockley said "It's now moved beyond a managerial problem, what you're looking at now is a fanbase that have totally lost faith in the board", while Vicky Smith said: "The responses and quote tweets of the statement say it all, I've not seen one that is even remotely positive".

Dunfermline, who have picked up four points and are the same number adrift of eighth placed Hamilton Academical, are next in action on October 16 at home to Kilmarnock.

In their statement, the club said that "everyone at our club, whether it is the board, the backroom staff or the players, share the frustration caused by the difficult start to our league campaign", and that "make no mistake, we hurt just as much as everyone else and we fully accept that things must improve, and very quickly."

Sporting director, Thomas Meggle, said: "I can understand the frustration of the fans, as I am disappointed with the way the season is going as well.

"However, I see how much the team is already fighting for the club and the team, and Peter and the coaching team are working tirelessly to turn things around. I believe that we can only overcome this situation by all of us sticking together."

Following Saturday's defeat, which he said was as "poor a game as I've been involved in", Grant stated that he would "100 per cent" not be leaving.

When asked if he would be given the chance to turn things around, he said: "

When asked if he would be given the opportunity to turn things around, Grant replied: "You're asking the wrong person.

"Put it this way, I can tell you 100 per cent I won't be quitting, because I do my job 100 per cent.

"I know what my job is and I know what's expected in my job, and I'll work 100 per cent every day. It'll not be for me; that'll be someone else's decision.

"If that's as may be, I've had nothing but support here from Thomas (Meggle) and Ross (McArthur) - they've been fantastic support. But I would understand 100 per cent if I'm not the manager. No problem.

"The one thing I can say is I've given everything to try and do it right."