CHRIS MOCHRIE insists that his former club Montrose will have Athletic's full respect when the teams go head-to-head this afternoon.

But the on-loan Dundee United midfielder says that the division's leaders will make the journey to the Angus coast focused on bouncing back from their weekend draw with Edinburgh and avenging their only League One defeat of the season.

Mochrie, who had a temporary spell with Pars legend Stewart Petrie's Gable Endies during the 2020/21 campaign, was in the Dunfermline side that lost at Links Park in October.

That reverse has been followed by a run of 16 league games without defeat which, despite being held to a stalemate last Saturday at KDM Group East End Park, leaves them nine points ahead of second placed Falkirk with eight games to play.

"It's not something we've been focusing on all year really, so we've just got to go over that game, see what we can do better, and see what we can do next week," Mochrie replied when extending their advantage at the top of the table was put to him following Saturday's game.

"They (Montrose) make it tough. They're a well-organised side and it's the only time we've been beaten this year in the league. It's going to be a tough one; they're a good side and will make it difficult for us.

"We've probably played worse than that (the 2-0 loss) and maybe got a win or a draw. We weren't too down about that; we worked hard that day and played not bad. We won't be going up there with any fear, but, hopefully, we can bounce back from Saturday.

"We're not too scared of any team, but we'll give everybody the same respect."

Since arriving from United in the summer, the 19-year-old has featured 29 times for Dunfermline, and earned a Scotland under-21 call-up earlier in the season.

He was an early replacement against the team from the capital on Saturday, replacing the injured Matty Todd after only eight minutes, and said: "I don't think as a team we were at our best.

"They sat in and made it difficult for us I suppose, but I think we know we needed to be better.

"I think it was just maybe one of those days where we were probably not moving the ball as well, and going side-to-side, as quick as we have before.

"We didn't really create a lot of clear-cut chances as well, so it's probably just a mixture of a few things."