ATHLETIC'S supporters can be "that extra man" and roar the time over the finishing line.

James McPake is certain there will "be a fantastic crowd" inside KDM Group East End Park on Saturday as his team attempt to win the League One title.

Their hopes of securing it at Peterhead on Tuesday, despite a 2-0 win, were dashed after second placed Falkirk won at Montrose, ensuring the gap between the teams remains 11 points with 12 to play for.

Three points for the Pars at home to in-form, and play-off chasing, Queen of the South will guarantee top spot, whilst if the Bairns fail to defeat Airdrieonians, that will also secure Dunfermline the title, regardless of how they fare against the Doonhamers.

A sold-out away end cheered the team on in Saturday's comeback draw at Falkirk, whilst a large contingent also made the lengthy trip to the north east, and McPake said: "They can be, it's a cliche, but that extra man.

"They dragged us through at Falkirk when we were 2-0 down. They never gave up on us, then they travelled up here in their numbers tonight (Tuesday) again.

"I'm sure it'll be a fantastic crowd on Saturday at East End Park, but what comes with that is we need to give them something to be noisy about. For half an hour at Falkirk, we didn't do enough.

"They stuck with us, but you can't expect that too often.

"We need to be on the front foot, we need to be creating chances, trying to score goals, and defending well to keep that crowd with us because, when they're with us, then they're a fantastic crowd.

"It's a great place to play football, it's a very intimidating place to play, as we saw in that Falkirk game (the 2-0 home win last month), when they were there and the atmosphere was electric that night. It has been all season.

"I think it's a two-way thing; as a group, we need to drag them up and get them going, and at times, when we need them, they need to drag us through.

"That's the way it's been working all season. It's been working well but there's a final push to go."

McPake, meanwhile, isn't taking anything for granted against a Doonhamers side that are targeting the promotion play-offs.

Marvin Bartley has steered his side to within three points of fourth-placed Alloa Athletic, who are in the final spot, after a run of five wins and a draw since losing at home to the Pars in February.

"The one thing I will say about Saturday is Queen of the South are coming on a real, good run of form," McPake cautioned.

"Marvin Bartley's went in and he's done fantastic. I have a lot of respect of him, I like him as a person, and everything I've heard about him, as a coach and manager, has been really good.

"I hope his good form, or good fortune, runs out on Saturday!

"He's turned it around. They've still got a very good chance of the play-offs as well. They'll fancy coming to our place and winning.

"They've taken a point off us there before, earlier in the season (a 1-1 draw in December), so it's going to be a really tough game. We need to be ready for that."

Tickets for tomorrow's match are available at the ticket office and club shop (from 10am until kick off); from the ticket kiosk at the corner of the Norrie McCathie and Main stands; and online, by clicking here.