ATHLETIC’S “exciting” play is something that their manager hopes can continue in the second half of the League One season.

James McPake believes that his team’s significant win at nearest challengers FC Edinburgh on Saturday could have been more comfortable in terms of the scoreline after highlighting the “bravery” of his team’s passing in the capital.

Dunfermline created several opportunities at Meadowbank Stadium, where Craig Wighton’s goal was enough to take them four points clear of their opponents, having played two games fewer, and their play in the middle areas of the pitch pleased their manager particularly.

“It was a really good goal actually,” he said this week.

“When Deniz (Mehmet) comes and takes it, we allow the cross in, but Deniz comes and takes it. He’s got two options; he can throw to Joe (Chalmers) quickly, or he can take the riskier one and set us off on an attack by throwing it to Macca (Kyle MacDonald).

“It was a great throw, a great touch to go by the first one, then the second one I believe he dives in, and he goes by that, but then the final ball, to pick that out ... that, along with the finish, it was a really well-worked goal. A good goal; our box to their box in the space of a couple of seconds.

“It was really pleasing that.

“On Saturday, there should’ve been another couple. I think those chances I spoke about all came from us either playing out or winning the ball back deep and going through the middle thirds of the pitch. We were excellent at that against Arbroath (in the SPFL Trust Trophy win last month). There has been some really good play and some good chances created from doing that.

“It’s bravery in terms of the players. I spoke on Saturday that they were putting their heads on the line late on, and bodies on the line, but bravery was some of the passes that were going through the middle to find Matty Todd or to find someone in an advanced position.

“They were great at that on Saturday. That’s why probably, there wasn’t a frustration, because I’ve been in the game long enough as a player, and then a coach and a manager, that a win’s a win, and you take it, but when they play that well, you want to see them get their rewards.

“That could’ve been a very comfortable afternoon on another day but long may that continue because it’s exciting to watch.

“It’s good to watch and the play was excellent.”

McPake, meanwhile, has welcomed the return of teenage defender Miller Fenton to his squad, following a loan spell at Berwick Rangers.

The 19-year-old was on the bench on Saturday and his boss said: “I’ve been really impressed with Miller since he’s gone out on loan and got games.

“He was unfortunate I think, in the timing; I wasn’t aware of it from the outside, I had seen Miller but he came in at a time when COVID hit. He didn’t have too much football and, what he has been doing, he’s trained really well, but it was important he got some games.

“Obviously, Josh (Edwards) started the season great so we made the decision to let Miller go out and get games, whilst still training with us, and he’s still played in the Reserve Cup games with us.

“We’ve kept an eye on him; we’ve had eyes on him down at Berwick when he’s been playing but, again, he’s another one I’ve been really impressed with in terms of attitude and just how good a player he is as well.

“To come through COVID at that age – I just mean in footballing terms – without a lot of football, he’s certainly now accelerating in terms of his development and we’re delighted with that.”