Jim Jefferies could be set to weild the axe after his struggling Dunfermline side crashed at Stenhousemuir.
Chris Faulds’ 71st-minute strike proved to be enough for Scott Booth’s Warriors and left the Pars with an unenviable record of winning just two points from a possible 12 over the past four matches.
Dunfermline manager Jefferies suggested that the loss could be the final blow for some of his squad.
“We have been playing well with the bulk of possession in most games this term,” he said.
“I told the players prior to the match today that, starting against Stenhousemuir, we had to turn that into winning games because it is meaningless unless you do and again it did not happen.
“There will have to be changes as a result.”
The Pars were first to threaten in five minutes when Shaun Byrne sent Andy Geggan in behind the home defence. The hitman’s low strike was solid enough, but Greg Fleming dived to his right to block superbly.
Ross Forbes hit well over from distance before the Warriors showed their claws for the first time in the 18th minute, Dunfermline keeper Ryan Scully grasping a clipped Jamie Reid effort off Ross Meechan’s cross.
That signalled a fine spell for Stenny and Kris Faulds hit the bar, Geggan’s attempted clearance also came off the bar and the clean through Colin McMenamin should have done better than hit the post after Gary Oliver set him up with only keeper Ryan Scully to beat.
After the break home keeper Fleming kept his side in it with a brace of terrific saves to deny Ross Forbes and Josh Falkingham.
Both sides continued to huff and puff without real penetration until the 71st minute when Stenny broke the deadlock. Jamie Reid robbed Josh Falkingham on the right and when he found on loan Hearts star Gary Oliver the Pars defence were all at sea.
Oliver’s shot was blocked out to Kris Faulds by Ryan Scully and the former Falkirk midfielder rammed into the net from 14 yards for what proved to be the winner.
On balance, Stenny made the better chances and on that basis deserved the win, but managers cannot legislate for the worst failings of their players and Jefferies must still be holding his head recalling Michael Moffat’s header wide from on the line off Josh Falkingham’s back post chip four minutes into time added on.
“That was the Daddy of them all,” Jefferies added. “You can have all the possession and control you want in a game, but if you fail to convert the type of chances we are creating, you lose games and it is not acceptable.
“The players are also doing it in training, but not transferring it on to the pitch so we will have to make changes.”
The boss’s remarks were underlined by skipper Andy Geggan.
“I’m very angry and disappointed,” he said. “We can’t continue to miss the chances we are creating and expect to stay in the team.
“We were flying at training on Thursday, but not on the pitch today so we have to start scoring again soon.
“The under-20 squad beat Dundee 5-0 last midweek so there is pressure on all of us, but nobody can complain if the if they take our places.
“Credit Stenny for sticking to their game, they are a decent side, but we are full time and should be beating them. The fans had a right to boo us at the end because they are like us and just want to see some goals.”
Stenny Gaffer Scott Booth said: “I am delighted for my players because they have not got everything they deserve from their performances to date. From back to front everybody contributed today.
“We made the most chances and deserved the three points at end.”