Dunfermline: James McPake discusses draw with Inverness

GOAL HERO Chris Hamilton was Athletic's head boy on Saturday as they battled back to make their point against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The vice-captain's equaliser 10 minutes from time gave James McPake's side a share of the spoils in the Highland capital, cancelling out Nathan Shaw's early opener for the hosts.

McPake felt that the draw was the least his men deserved to take from the match, which saw deadline day loan signing, Owen Moffat, come off the bench for his Pars debut, and a return to action for winger Kane Ritchie-Hosler.

"We went behind it was similar circumstances to last week (against Raith Rovers)," McPake said afterwards.

"We had a lot of the ball. We concede a goal, go behind and we had, not so much clear-cut chances in the first half, but a lot of good balls into good areas that we weren't getting on the end of. That's something we'll certainly have to have a look at.

"Second half we were the dominant team in my opinion. We deserved to get the point and, in the end, we didn't do enough because we never got that second goal. But in terms of chances created in that second half, and just the dominance of the second half, we're gutted we're not going down the road with three points."

The return of Ritchie-Hosler, who had been out since Dunfermline's first pre-season friendly against FC St Pauli with an ankle injury that required surgery, was a welcome boost for McPake as he and his team aimed to bounce back from their Fife derby defeat to Raith Rovers.

The 20-year-old had played almost 75 minutes of last Tuesday's reserve match with Dundee, while Moffat, who arrived on a season-long loan from Blackpool, was registered in time to be involved.

Kane Ritchie-Hosler made his first appearance of the season from the bench. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Hamilton was one of two changes made to Dunfermline's starting line-up, as he and Ben Summers, making his first start, were brought in place of the benched Rhys Breen and Craig Wighton, who was absent from the squad.

The travelling fans were hoping to see their side win just their fourth league game in 21 visits to Inverness, but watched them fall behind after only 12 minutes.

Shaw took a touch, from Max Anderson's pass, to turn and, from around 25 yards hit a shot that goalkeeper, Harry Sharp, couldn't keep out as hit went in via the post.

Charlie Gilmour fired wide for Billy Dodds' side, before an Adam Brooks effort was ruled out for offside, as Inverness looked for a second before the break.

It didn't come and the introductions of Moffat and Ritchie-Hosler with half-an-hour to play gave Athletic fresh impetus.

And it was the former who played a pivotal role in the equaliser when, after offering himself as a short option for Joe Chalmers at a corner, he received the ball and clipped in a left-footed cross.

It was flicked on by Sam Fisher and Hamilton ghosted in unmarked to head beyond Mark Ridgers to nod home his first goal of the season.

The Pars pushed for a winner, with ex-Athletic defender, Danny Devine, making a vital interception to prevent Lewis McCann from connecting with Fisher's cross, before a thrilling run by Moffat, taking him beyond four opponents and into the box, was ended with a good block by Ridgers.

Owen Moffat, signed on loan on deadline day from Blackpool, came off the bench for his Pars debut. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Despite their best efforts, Dunfermline could only head home with a share of the points, and McPake praised the impact of those brought off the bench.

"They were excellent," he said.

"I don't think anyone was bad in terms of the changes we did make, but it gave a different dimension to the team, a different dynamic with the players that could come on when we were chasing the game.

"It's good now to be able to do that. We're getting the squad back, so we can do that, and I'm delighted for the ones that did go on and make an impact, but also the attitude they show to coming off. You never want them to be happy.

"I specifically say that because Rhys Breen would've been disappointed he wasn't playing. He's sitting behind me and I think he was the loudest person in Inverness, just encouraging his team-mates. That's the spirit in the group.

"I fully believe that's what helps us so much, and keeps us going so much, because they've all got that and they all back each other."

Hamilton, who post-match dedicated his goal to young Pars fan, Kray Bathgate, who sadly passed away ahead of the game, commented: "It was a tough game, it always is up here.

"They have not started the season as well as they would have liked to, but we know that they are a good team with good players who can hurt you. We handled it well, competed when necessary, and displayed moments of quality. We just lacked that final touch in front of goal, but I believe it will come.

"We wanted to start well and put them under pressure. We knew that, no matter the circumstances, this group of boys would always give their best "We were unlucky not to go on and win the match."

Chris Hamilton heads in the equaliser. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Skipper Kyle Benedictus was taken off after sustaining a foot injury, of which McPake added: "I hope it'll be ok. You get those ones and I had to basically make the decision to take him off. We obviously don't know if there's any bone damage until we get it x-rayed or scanned.

"Hopefully it's just one of the ones you kick a boot, with the studs, and it bruises because's he's very important to us, but that's football.

"He was just wanting his boots changed rather than coming off, because his other boots were a bit bigger. When it gets to that point, I think you've got to make a decision, but he's as brave as lion and he'd have ran about there even if his foot was broken.

"Hopefully he'll be ok."

Inverness Caledonian Thistle: Ridgers, Duffy (Bray 69), Harper, Devine, Boyes, Gilmour, Carson, Anderson (Davidson 87), Shaw, McKay (Samuels 87), Brooks (Longstaff 82).

Subs not used: Delaney, Doran, Lodovica, MacKay, Thompson.

Goal: Shaw (12).

Booked: Duffy (46), Brooks (58).

Pars: Sharp, Comrie (Ritchie-Hosler 59), Hamilton, Benedictus (Allan 71), Fisher, Otoo, Chalmers, Summers (Tod 84), McCann, O'Halloran (Moffat 59).

Subs not used: Breen, , Fenton, Sutherland, Little.

Goal: Hamilton (80).

Booked: Tod (90).

Referee: Matthew MacDermid.

Attendance: 2,388.