ROBBIE MAHON has admitted that hearing his manager tell him he has been unfortunate not to feature more gave him a boost.

But the on-loan Motherwell player insists that he has no complaints over having to wait for his opportunity as his Pars pals continue to set the pace at the top of League One.

Winger Mahon, who was born in Dublin, joined Dunfermline in September from the Fir Park outfit, who signed him from Bohemians last March, but had made just four appearances before Saturday's game at Airdrieonians.

He has started just once for James McPake, in a 2-2 draw with Clyde in November, but could have put himself into contention for a second when Athletic go head-to-head with the Diamonds for the second time in successive weeks this weekend.

With the league leaders a goal down at the Excelsior Stadium, Mahon, and debutant, Ewan Otoo, were sent on by McPake only half-an-hour into the game.

Although Dunfermline conceded a second before the interval, and he was unfortunate to get the final touch, under pressure from Gabby McGill, for Airdrie's third goal, Mahon impressed in a wide right position and played a key role in the recovery that led to an incredible 4-3 win.

Mahon's direct running from wide eventually led to him having a shot blocked inside the box, from which Callum Smith handled as Craig Wighton looked set to pounce, which led to a red card for the Diamonds player, and Kyle Benedictus scoring Dunfermline's first of the day.

There were also two assists for Matty Todd, which brought Dunfermline level, before Nikolay Todorov's winner, and Mahon admitted that words of encouragement from boss McPake had given him a lift.

"It's nice to hear him say that, and it gives me a bit of a boost," he said.

"It gives me a bit of confidence and I think that helped, hearing him say that. He said that I’m unlucky, but I can’t complain when the lads are winning week in, week out, and scoring goals. It is all part of the game.

"It is a brilliant squad. We made five changes and every single one of us who came off the bench were just as good as the starters. That’s the thing; there’s no different levels, t's all just one level of intense talented players, and that is always handy to have as well.

"Coming off the bench that early, when you're losing, is not easy, but the second that you come on, the lads don't have their heads down. The lads are ready to help you, and that makes all the difference, having those lads around you to get your chin up if you put a bad ball into the box or whatever.

"They're all there for each other and it's great."

Mahon, however, downplayed his own role in the opening goal, and assisting Todd, commenting: "I wouldn't say that; I would say, as a team, we did enough.

"We attacked well on the right side and the left. A few goals came from the right side, but the team were incredible.

"I gave him (Todd) the ball; I didn't really put it on a plate for him,

"He had to do it himself and he took the two of them very well. They were both outside the box, and they were very good finishes, so credit to him."

The win moved Dunfermline seven points clear of nearest challengers, Falkirk, and 13 ahead of the Diamonds, and the significance of the result was evidenced by the racuous celebrations amongst the players, management team and staff at full-time.

Mahon, however, cautioned: "It's game by game. It is just three points.

"We have them again next week, they're a good side, and we're just preparing for that again."