AARON COMRIE has hailed a renewed "energy" about the Pars squad and says that last Saturday's success on the road must be a sign of things to come.

The full back is enjoying life under new boss James McPake, which has seen Dunfermline win both of their opening matches in League One, keeping two clean sheets in the process.

Comrie, who has been an ever-present in Athletic's competitive fixtures this season, was enthused by the team's performance in winning at FC Edinburgh, their first league victory on the road since a 2-0 Championship success at Queen of the South on January 29.

Since then, seven league fixtures, plus the first leg of the play-off semi-final loss to Queen's Park, came and went without a win being registered – although they did win at East Fife, in the Premier Sports Cup, in McPake's first competitive game in charge – and the 25-year-old knows their form away from East End must improve if they are to challenge for promotion.

"There are still things to work on but, two wins out of two, it's been a good start," he told Press Sport.

"That's all we're after, winning games. Since I've been at the club, our away form's been really poor, and I think it's one thing, this year, we're going to need to be good at. It's nice to start off the away games with a win as well.

"I think it was a really positive performance, the win and the clean sheet. I thought we started the game really well and, obviously the boy (Edinburgh's Jack Brydon) gets sent off, but we miss the penalty.

"I think after that, even they go down to 10 men, it was really professional and we saw the game out well. We should have been out of sight earlier – we had some really good chances – so I think that's something to work on.

"We had lots of great chances. We created a lot, which is good, but maybe on another day, where games are tight, you'll only get a couple of chances.

"I think we need to be a little bit more ruthless."

Comrie, who has made more than 100 appearances since joining from St Johnstone in 2019, has been encouraged by the standard of play from the Pars since McPake's arrival, and says confidence is high in the camp.

They're back on home turf today when Montrose - bossed by Pars legend, Stewart Petrie - come calling and, when asked if there is a belief within the squad, Comrie continued: "I think that comes from winning games, being hard to beat, and doing the dirty side of the game well, which we had done.

"I think it's been great; it's been positive since day one. There's an energy about the squad, it's a real, good group of boys, and it's really good playing for one another on a Saturday. I think everyone's enjoying it.

"I think it's something that's been missing before, starting the season well, so it's been a perfect record so far. The boys are playing well, and there's a real energy, so that needs to continue.

"You need to do what the manager asks, but I think it is showing in games, maybe a wee bit of an identity and what we want to do. It's been great to play in.

"First and foremost, from the manager, I think it's be a good defender (from Comrie's point of view), and then support the game when it's on my side. There's not a free licence, no, but as long as we're keeping clean sheets, I think he'd be happy with us full backs on the defensive side more so than the forward side.

"I'll take the clean sheet all day long. It doesn't matter if I'm involved up the park, I just want to keep clean sheets, and if we keep clean sheets, we'll win games."

Comrie also had words of praise for debutant Chris Mochrie, and two other summer arrivals, Kyle Benedictus and Chris Hamilton.

"Chris (Mochrie) has been brilliant," Comrie added.

"I think he's only trained one or two days so, to come in and get his goal straight away, that's an ideal start for him. I've played against him before, he's a real top player, so I think he's going to be a really good addition.

"Kyle's been brilliant. I think he's got that natural leadership quality, and I think that's been a big factor in us keeping clean sheets, so he's been a joy to play alongside.

"Obviously Chris Hamilton, he's missed the first two games, but I think he showed his quality in the Premier Sports Cup games, and it'll be a welcome addition for him to come back in next week."