FOLLOWING his side's draw against Airdrie, Pars boss James McPake paid tribute to the work ethic of his side after they held on to claim a point with just nine men.

McPake said the game "felt like a win" and was delighted that his team were able to add to their unbeaten run which has now seen them go 23 league games undefeated.

"It was a club record before the game but we don't want to give that up," he said. "We are not going to let the season fizzle out. We have another away support here in their numbers. We have got players that are desperate to win every game.

"Unfortunately we didn't win the game but the character they showed late on in that game was incredible but I am not surprised by that. You don't go on 22 game unbeaten runs if you have not got character.

"You don't lose one game – we still have two to play – but you don't lose one game all season if you have not got character and that real desire to work for your teammates and that is what they done. Delighted with that at the end as well. Not the red cards, I am not talking about that.

"The desire, the courage, everything they showed just to stop the ball going in the net. That shows what that group is all about. There has been times where it is classed other teams play better football, other teams do this, other teams do that but I don't know how many points we are clear at the top of the league so it doesn't really matter.

"That first half performance showed exactly what that group of players can do. They were excellent and the opposite side shows you why we are comfortable at the top of the league.

"In the end it feels like a win if I am honest because of the way they saw that game out. I don't think I have ever said that after a draw even when we drew at Falkirk and from coming from two behind but this Airdrie team can really hurt you with eleven more than any team in the league – that is just my opinion.

"This team are the team that has hurt us most in the league and again that was going to be the same again and we stood up to it."

Following the draw, McPake and his players went over to the away support to show their appreciation.

The Athletic manager said it was important to acknowledge their contribution.

"Those fans follow us everywhere," he said. "We will have a massive crowd at East End Park again next week so it has been like that.

"We celebrated like that the last time we were down here. It is not to disrespect anyone. We do it at home, we do it here. There's a great bond between the fans and the players and the full club at the minute.

"There's a great togetherness and we want that to continue. It is more a thank you to them for travelling down in their numbers once again when the league was won last week.

"I know for a fact probably everyone of them will be going to the game next week again. I know it is not cheap to come to football.

"They could be doing anything on their Saturday but they choose to come and watch Dunfermline and I bet they all went away happy today even though we only picked a point up.

"In my first interview with the club, I said at the start, I cannot promise wins, I cannot promise promotion, I can't even promise going up through the play offs or winning the league, all I can promise is we will pick a team who gives everything for the fans turning up.

"Every single game that has happened. Even when we lot at Montrose, they gave us everything. We were two nil down at Falkirk and they gave us everything and we drew two two. People will look at it and say that is because you are winning but it was there at the very start.

"It is only right that every time we play in front of them, we give everything but they have got. The players give everything every day in training as well.

"There's a real work ethic in that dressing room and that is probably why they are down to nine men against a very good team, they can see it out.

"If we had lost the game, we would have still done the same and gone over to those fans."