CRAIG WIGHTON said he was frustrated not to bag more than two goals on Tuesday night but hopes his double salvo can earn a return to the Pars starting line-up.

The 26-year-old was in the right place at the right time to net twice inside the final 20 minutes of the 3-0 win against Arbroath, a club who has twice enjoyed loan spells with, after appearing from the bench.

His brace, after Josh Edwards' opener, not only helped Dunfermline bounce back from their Scottish Cup exit with just a second win in eight outings, but took his tally for the season so far to five.

Wighton has had to make do with substitute appearances in each of Athletic's last three games, bit said post-match: "Obviously it's been a bit frustrating the last few weeks - I've not played as much I want to - but there's other boys that are in the same position.

READ MORE: Craig's at the double as Pars see off the Lichties

"Everyone wants to be playing, so I just need to bide my time. Hopefully I can't do much more, and I just need to keep working hard in training, and hopefully get myself back in.

"I could've had a few more (goals), frustrated with that, but good to get a couple of goals and finish the game off. I thought other boys who came on did really well too.

"It was a bit stretched when we came on and I think that suited us, because obviously we're fresh. We managed to create plenty of chances and, on another day, we'd have scored a few more."

Dunfermline Press: Craig Wighton is hopeful his brace from the bench can help restore him to James McPake's starting line-up.Craig Wighton is hopeful his brace from the bench can help restore him to James McPake's starting line-up. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Wighton admitted that it was important Dunfermline bounced back from their "disappointing" cup exit to derby rivals Raith Rovers, and believes they'll go into this Saturday's clash against Queen's Park "with a bit more confidence".

The Spiders, who were beaten by the Pars at Hampden in September, head to KDM Group East End Park without a win in their previous 10 Championship games.

Building momentum, and extending the Glasgow side's run without a victory, is what Wighton is aiming for, adding: "We seem to have a good result this year and we've not quite been able to back it up, so Saturday's massive, if we can go and do that. We're delighted to be back up to fourth,but we want to keep kicking on and looking up the way. It's a big game.

"They're a good side. They play some good stuff, Queen's Park, so it'll be tough, and when the league's that tight, I think they probably deserve a few more points, the way they play, but they've not had them for whatever reason.

"We know it'll be tough and we need to be ready for that."