JOHN HUGHES has urged his Pars stars to match the standards set in their last home game to ensure they beat the Championship drop.

And, although he acknowledges that is by no means certain, he is confident that his team are showing signs that they are capable of doing it.

After a break of 10 days, Dunfermline return to action tomorrow (Wednesday) evening when Raith Rovers come calling for the final Fife derby of the season.

The teams had been due to meet on Saturday but, after the Kirkcaldy club progressed to the final of the SPFL Trust Trophy - which was played on Sunday, and resulted in a 3-1 win for Rovers - the game has been pushed back.

With five games to go, the Pars are ninth, three points above bottom side Queen of the South, and five adrift of Ayr United in eighth, who have played a game more.

Hughes' side have to face both the Honest Men and the Doonhamers at home in the run-in, as well as title-chasing Kilmarnock away, on Saturday, and Partick Thistle at Firhill.

Although they were beaten at Inverness on March 26, their previous game resulted in, arguably, their best performance of the season as they blew the Jags away with a 4-1 win.

Speaking ahead of the Raith clash, Hughes acknowledged that that level of performance is what he's looking for, commenting: "Yes, from now until the end of the season.

"But it's not easy; everyone thinks it's easy and it's not.

"When we're at home, we want to be on the front foot and we want to entertain the supporters.

"But I keep saying to the players that your opponent has every right to go and try to stop you, and they’ve got every right to go on the front foot and get forward as well.

"That’s what makes football fantastic.

"It’s fine margins and, usually, it’s who shows that little bit more resilience and that little bit more style and class in the final third, someone who can unlock the door with a pass or a goal.

"I’m starting to see that. I’m seeing a lot of good stuff from Dunfermline and that’s what makes me optimistic.

"If you win, you pick up points and if you pick up points then it takes you where you want to go.

"If you lose then you suffer the consequences and you have to embrace it. You have to use it as your fuel to go and get success.

"It will be the same for Raith Rovers. They’re trying to get into the play-offs, and that’s nip and tuck as well.

"So, from now until the end of the season, every game and every team will have something to play for."

Despite their contrasting league positions - fifth top Rovers are only three points adrift of Thistle in fourth, and the final promotion play-off place - there has been nothing to choose between the two rivals when they've gone head-to-head.

All three games have ended in draws - two of them 1-1, the last at Stark's Park in January 0-0 - and Hughes expects John McGlynn's team to arrive with confidence after their trophy win on Sunday.

"We know what’s coming from Raith Rovers. It’s a derby match, they’re our rivals," he added.

"But sometimes in football you have to take your hat off and say well done.

"I’m big enough and man enough to say that. But hopefully they’ll be saying well done to us on Wednesday."

Tickets for the match can be bought online by visiting the club's website.