Dunfermline’s Joe Cardle insists his side need to learn the lessons being handed out at the SPL school of hard knocks.
Their latest test came in a five-goal thriller against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Saturday, with their after-match report card reading “must do better” especially defensively.
Dunfermline took an early lead at a corner when on-loan Hearts defender Jason Thomson shot home from close.
They had chances to extend their advantage but Killie equalised when Alex Keddie brought down James Dayton in the box.
Pars keeper Paul Gallacher could not replicate his previous penalty heroics as Paul Heffernan stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way.
On the stroke of half-time, Keddie failed to cut out a pass and Heffernan raced through on goal to slot past Gallacher.
The Pars clawed their way back into the game just after half-time when substitute Ryan Thomson headed home from a deep Cardle cross to net his first SPL goal.
However, Killie hit their third goal just after the hour mark when 6ft 4in Czech defender Zdenek Kroca was given too much time and space in the Pars’ penalty area to turn and shoot past Gallacher.
Cardle said the result had left the Dunfermline players “devastated”.
He said: “That was a tough one to take especially after the start we made to the game. We are very disappointed, as it is a big loss for us.
“I felt we played some good football at times and scored a couple of fine goals, so everyone was devastated in the changing-room afterwards.
“We need to learn the lessons and quickly. It is the first season in the SPL for a lot of the boys and it is going to be a learning experience for a lot of them, including myself. If we don’t, then there is a real danger that we will go straight back down.Hard games”We have another two hard games coming up against Hibs and Celtic, so we have to roll our sleeves up and start working hard at training on Monday.”
It was a harsh result for Dunfermline to take with their attacking play at least deserving of a share of the spoils.
Cardle, Andy Kirk and Davie Graham were outstanding but, at the back, individual mistakes are costing them dear.
Keddie was hooked at half-time and skipper Austin McCann also had a torrid time as he tried to cope with the pace and trickery of James Dayton and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he does not line up against Hibs.
Dunfermline are determined to play entertaining, attacking football, but until they can shut up shop at the back their SPL future looks bleak.
On Saturday, manager Jim McIntyre was sent to the stands by referee Brian Winter after throwing a water bottle to the ground and Cardle was booked when he was kicked by James Fowler while lying on the ground.
He added: “I really couldn’t understand it. The boy tripped me up and I fell on the ball. The lad kicked me and I just got up and the ref decided to book me.
“I don’t have a clue how that is supposed to work. He didn’t even give me a reason when I asked him.
“The gaffer was also sent to the stand early in the game for just throwing a bottle to the ground. That is scary but I think it sums up the way the whole day went.”
McIntyre said: “Both teams tried to play the game in the right manner and served up some great entertainment. But we have to defend better.”