Managers Post Falkirk

26/12/16: Allan Johnston felt that his team deserved more from the first half against Falkirk in the Boxing Day Derby:-

"I thought in the first half we were different class, we dominated and to go a goal down was a bit of a travesty after all the good play that we had.

"We got into really good positions but maybe our final ball or getting the shot away maybe let us down. The second half was a bit more even but credit to the players for coming back and showing that bit of determination to be back for the point."

What was the manager`s opinion on the 58th minute penalty decision in his team`s favour?

"I don`t know. I think the one in the first half looked more of a penalty but I cannot complain because we have not had much luck over the last few months. Rhys McCabe stepped up and showed a bit of bottle to go and hit the penalty after the recent run we have been on missing penalties. It was good to get that off our back as well."

AJ was pleased with the way his team came back after losing the first goal of the match:-

"They have got that belief and that quality to keep going. We are making it difficult for ourselves as well by losing such a sloppy first goal. It is something we need to tighten up on.

"But they showed the quality that we have got against a team like Falkirk who are up near the top of the league and have been for the last couple of seasons.

"I thought we matched them for long periods and I thought in the first half we were the better team."

There were points in the match where Pars fans were screaming out for players to shoot, the manager recognised that getting the shot in was all important:-

"I know, there were that many times, even first half and a couple of times second half as well on the counterattack breaking at pace. It was just that final pass and that wee bit of quality in decision making, whether you have the shot or you play somebody in.

"A couple of times we overhit the pass or miscontrolled it. Obviously if we can improve on that the goals will come."

The match saw Joe Cardle start his first match since against Dundee United on 12th November. His manager was pleased to have the 29 year old back:-

"He is a top player and we have a lot of quality players in our squad. Kallum Higginbotham was missing but Joe came in and had a big impact as well. That is the type of quality that we have got and over the course of the season I am sure that will play dividends."

Next up is the Fife Derby against Raith Rovers on Monday 2nd January. The manager views that as another massive game:-

"I watched them against a Hibs on Saturday. They are really hard to beat, really well organised but I am sure that we will take another massive crowd there.

"When you look at the crowd today, it is not Championship it is more like two Premier League clubs. Hopefully we can get the same sort of crowd against Raith".

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