Never-say-die attitude gains a valuable point for Jefferies' men

Football Writer

Sunday 22 April 2012

DUNFERMLINE may yet be relegated come the end of the season but they are at least putting up a decent scrap along the way.

Steven Thompson heads the first of his hat-trick Photograph: SNS

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Graeme Macpherson

Entering this match in desperate need of points as they look to overhaul Hibernian, they conceded a goal within four minutes, were 3-1 down early in the second half, and 4-2 down with 20 minutes to go. Each time, however, they rolled their sleeves up and came back at St Mirren, going on to earn what could yet prove to be a precious point. Like a zombie in a slasher flick, Dunfermline simply refused to keel over and die. Their reward for such persistence and adventure – manager Jim Jefferies sent on three attacking players from the bench – was an 88th-minute equaliser from Andy Kirk who then had a chance to win it deep into injury time but scooped it over the bar. Needless to say, this wasn't a game when defences were on top.

The point gained reduces the gap between Dunfermline and Hibs at the bottom to six points, although the Easter Road side could extend it again this afternoon when they take on Kilmarnock. Dunfermline have not had the bounce they would have hoped Jefferies would generate – they have yet to record a win in his four games in charge but at least they are still in there fighting. "We've scored four goals away from home and only come away with a draw," said Jefferies. "But when you're 3-1 and then 4-2 down you have to be delighted with the response of the players. So we're over the moon to get something from the game. If Hibs lose then we will be a point closer to them."Kirk's late goal took the shine off of Steven Thompson, who recorded his first ever league hat-trick and still didn't end up on the winning side. The result ensures St Mirren will play top-flight football for a seventh successive season but that seemed to matter little to the home support who booed their team off the park at full-time. Danny Lennon shared their fury."For the neutral it would have been fantastic but as the St Mirren manager I'm absolutely livid that we didn't take maximum points or have the game sewn up on a number of occasions," he seethed. "I've challenged the players to come back next week with the proper reaction."St Mirren scored first in an enthralling contest that pulsed from end to end, and from the first minute to the last. Nigel Hasselbaink collected Paul McGowan's pass on the edge of the box, turned Alex Keddie and finished well past Chris Smith.That set the tone for what was to follow. Dunfermline hearts must have sank at the concession of such an early goal but they rallied admirably. Kyle Hutton could have scored twice but saw his first attempt blocked and a second skid wide of goal, before David Graham sent an effort scudding against the outside of the post. St Mirren's resistance was weakening, however, and a deserved equaliser arrived not long after, Jordan McMillan cutting inside to fire in a left-foot shot that Craig Samson got a palm to but couldn't keep out.Then came the first two goals of Thompson's treble, the striker connecting with Graham Carey's cross to put St Mirren back in front and then out-muscling Andy Dowie in the air to head past Smith early in the second half. That seemed to be that but Dunfermline again hung in there, Graham picking his way carefully through some half-hearted St Mirren tackles to score a fine individual goal that made it 3-2.Thompson seemed certain to be the headline attraction when he completed his hat-trick with a fine finish but Dunfermline had other ideas. Liam Buchanan arrowed in a shot from a tight angle to offer fresh hope before substitute Kirk bundled in the late equaliser.

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Never-say-die attitude gains a valuable point for Jefferies' men

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