MATTY TODD may not have expected to feature as prominently as he did at the weekend - but was delighted he was able to show his worth.
The 23-year-old made only his fourth appearance of Dunfermline's campaign so far, having suffered a fractured collarbone during pre-season, in Saturday's SPFL Trust Trophy win over Kelty Hearts.
Having started their previous two matches, Todd was named on the bench for the Fife derby, but was introduced in just the 13th minute to replace Dapo Mebude, who was forced off through injury.
The boyhood Pars fan's influence was clear, providing the assist for Chris Kane's equaliser, before being in the right place at the right time to score what proved to be the winner.
It was also the most minutes Todd had played for the team since April and, speaking afterwards, he explained: "I'm just getting myself back now, fully fit, and today was intended to give me a wee bit of rest, but that changed quite early on in the game, and I'm just glad I helped out with the team.
"I think another 80 minutes under my belt is good. Obviously, I think that's four games now I've played since I've been back, and I'm just getting back to my top fitness, so I'm glad.
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"It wasn't an acceptance to not play today. I think it was an idea of him (manager James McPake) giving me a wee bit of rest to build me back in slowly.
"Obviously I was frustrated not being in from the start today, but I came on and I showed my worth there in the first half and the second half, so I'm glad that that's the outcome today."
Todd joked that he asked team-mate Kane if he got a touch to his cross for Dunfermline's equaliser, but said James McPake is eager for him to add more goals in the penalty area.
"Yeah, that's another one that he's always on at me as well," continued Todd, whose goal was his first of the season.
"I know I'm good at arriving late in the box, but he's wanting more goals from me closer to the goal, in the six-yard box, so I'm glad that's another one I've added today."
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