Return to Palmerston, return to team

Michael Paton started for the first since the Scottish Cup tie at Buckie at the end of November.

Michael Paton has been waiting patiently to get a start but at Palmerston he found himself making his 13th of the season.

There was a little surprise however when the teams were announced and it suggested that the Pars number seven was going to be playing a different role. After the match he spoke to the website:-

"Left back is not my natural position but I thought I did well enough. I filled in for Jason Talbot who was out injured. I am pleased that I got the chance to play and I think I did myself proud. It proves that I can play anywhere - right mid, left mid and I proved against Queens left back too.

"I don`t think they caused us much bother down the left hand side. I thought that I was comfortable, relaxed and composed. I am really proud of how I played at left back for the first time!"

Proof of his success was the defence achieving a shut out and Michael played his part with numerous challenges, clearances and blocks. He is out of contract at the end of this season and keen to stay at Dunfermline for the next.

"Obviously I want to stay at the club, I think that I have done well enough waiting my time because the team went on an unbeaten run that made it hard to get in the team.

"I have been keeping positive, playing reserve football and keeping myself fit so I was ready. Starting on Saturday shows that I was ready.

"I have enjoyed my time here and I hope to talk to the manager next week. It is a massive club and I want to be part of where it should be which is in the league above. Hopefully it is good news rather than bad news next week."

The 28 year old has now made 63 appearance since joining Dunfermline Athletic in June 2015 from Queen of the South. He was pleased to have success against his former club and admitted that the winning goal was a lucky break.

"Murdo (keeper Sean Murdoch) just kicked it and Nicky anticipated where it was going to land, he was on the back foot and just glanced it towards the goal. Their keeper lost his footing.

"It was probably a lucky goal. In my career I have not seen many punts up the park with the keeper losing his feet and it going in. It is a win and we have finished up on a high.

"Queen of the South maybe had more chances than ourselves in the last twenty minutes but we remained tight together. Murdoch pulled off a great save and we kept our shape."

Related Stories

• Queen of the South 0 Dunfermline 1
• Managers post Queen of the South
• Preview Queen of the South
• Skipper`s sweet and sour season