JOHN HUGHES said he was "baffled" by his team's inconsistency after Athletic succumbed to defeat at league leaders Kilmarnock on Saturday.

But the Pars boss insisted he and his players would "pick the bones" out of their Rugby Park setback as they prepare for what could be a season-defining game at home to Ayr United this weekend.

Dunfermline travelled to East Ayrshire hoping to build some momentum following last Wednesday's fine Fife derby win over Raith Rovers, but endured a tough 90 minutes against Derek McInnes' side.

READ MORE: Pars beaten at Kilmarnock

The Fifers struggled to make any real impact on a game that was dominated by Killie, who were only prevented from winning by more than two goals by the heroics of goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk.

Hughes described his display post-match as "sensational" as he defied the hosts time after time, only conceding the second goal with 14 minutes to go.

With three matches left, Dunfermline remain six points clear of bottom side Queen of the South, but are three behind Ayr United in eighth, after they fought back from two goals down to draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The Honest Men visit East End in a huge clash on Saturday as the Pars bid to avoid the relegation play-off place, and Hughes wants more consistency from his players as the campaign draws to a close.

"There was only going to be one winner today and that was Kilmarnock," he said post-match.

"I think you have to be honest in your assessment. I don't know if we were that bad, or they were that good. You have to always look at it and, if it wasn't for Jakub, it could've been a few more goals.

"It's baffling because one minute we're right up there, and the next minute, the rollercoaster ride of the highs and lows is not going to take you where you want to go.

"We want consistency in performance. It wasn't there today. We were well, well second best, and Kilmarnock thoroughly deserved their victory."

When asked if the team's effort against Raith had had an impact at Killie, Hughes replied: "No, I'm not giving them that.

"We need to put our finger on that. I've said that they've not let me down much this year; probably Morton (a 5-0 away defeat in January), Inverness (a 2-0 loss last month), and today. So, we have to, without rambling and raving, pick the bones out of it post-match.

"First and foremost, you have to look at yourself. Could you have been a little bit better? Could you have changed it up, mixed it up? Everything's in hindsight.

"If you did that and it went like that, you'd be kicking yourself. We were on good form, so let's just keep going, but we never got started today."

Agreeing that Stolarczyk had a fine game in goal, Hughes continued: "He had to be, so that's the bonus one out of it.

"I will say one thing; no matter what you're doing in football, it's not going for you, and you're under the coash which we are, at 1-0, you're still in the game.

"I've been in football a long time, and even the chance with Bobby Kamwa...we lose the second one from a set piece, when we've basically got a more physical side on there. All the physical boys are on there, to lose a goal from a set piece is disappointing.

"We need to be better than that because we were still in with a chance. But, at 2-0, the game's done."

With just one goal in the game, however, Dunfermline had what looked to be a strong penalty claim for a shirt pull on Efe Ambrose by Chris Stokes early in the second half ignored by referee Steven Kirkland.

When asked if they could've had a spot-kick, the Pars boss added: "Definitely, he had a grip of his shirt. You must've seen it as well.

"It looked clear to me as well."

Opposing boss McInnes, meanwhile, was delighted with his team's effort, which keeps them four points clear of Arbroath at the top of the table.

He felt that wasteful finishing, as well as excellence from Stolarczyk, prevented a bigger winning margin for Killie, who have now won seven in a nine-game unbeaten league run.

"Obviously I worked with Neil Alexander (Pars' goalkeeping coach) and I said their goalies were rotten until you turned up and started coaching them," he laughed.

"I mean that as a joke. Some of the saves the boy made were terrific.

"I thought we were a wee bit wasteful as well; it was a combination of both to be honest. We passed up chance after chance after chance.

"It was great we got the second goal when we did, but we were good for 2-0 today. It was two going on a lot more, truth be told, and against a team who have been in such good form under John the last wee while.

"Even at 2-0, they've got players on that still keep you on your toes, that just need that half moment to try and make the narrative of the game go differently.

"We had to be fully concentrated, fully focused, the subs helped keep the energy in the team, but we had some strong individual performances.

"It was a big team performance but, within that, there were some brilliant individual performances.

"It pleases me no end that we're able to deal with that type of game because, when we first came in here, it was aimed at the players that we didn't enjoy playing at home, home games had a wee bit anxiety about them, but I just feel as though our home form of late has allowed us to be in the position we're in.

"It's important that we continue that now and try and go right through the line, but performances like today give me real pleasure to be honest.

"I think at this stage of the season, the result overrides everything, but to have such a strong performance says everything about the lads.

"We spoke yesterday (on Friday) about the importance of looking after our own business, and don't be looking for other people for favours because, normally when that is the case, it doesn't get the job done.

"It's important that we deal with what we've got to deal with, and that was dealing with a lot of tension on the game, but it never showed in the performance.

"We spoke about trying to enjoy the opportunity that's there. A lot of times in your career, you play in relegation battles, you're injured, or you're playing at this time of the season with nothing to play for - we've got to try and enjoy being where we are, and work towards trying to be successful this season.

"That was another step towards it but we've still got work to do. Such is the way, we've got to try and replicate something similar that we had today in the remaining games."