JAMES CRAIGEN admits his play-off experiences tell him it is time for Dunfermline to win at all costs.
The Pars have slipped four points behind Morton, who currently occupy fourth spot, with just 12 matches remaining in the campaign.
The Fifers are desperate to go at least one better than last season, when they finished fifth and missed out on an end-of-season shot at promotion.
Craigen has reached the play-offs in the last two years, first with Raith Rovers and then with Falkirk, and is convinced he can make that a hat-trick with Dunfermline.
But, as they travel to face Queen of the South on Saturday afternoon, the January signing knows that points are precious as up to seven teams battle for the top four places in the Championship.
He said: “It’s so tight. If you can string two wins together it can make a big difference.
“Teams are all going to be taking points off each other. There’s still 12 games left, so there’s a long way to go and a lot to play for.
“But it’s definitely the stage where we need to get points on the board.
“And at this stage of the season it doesn’t matter how you get them, it’s just about getting the points.
“We want to play nice football, that’s what we always try to do, but as long as we get the wins that’s the main thing at this time in the season.
“That’s the message I would have from being through this in the last two years.
“We all want to play nice football but last year with Falkirk we ground it out, we probably weren’t great for the last three or four games.
“But I believe with the players we have here we can put a string of results together and we can get points on the board and kick on.”
NEW PLAYERS
Dunfermline have not won any of their last five outings but feel they deserved more out of their goalless draw with 10-man Livingston a fortnight ago.
Craigen has started the last two matches and formed a promising midfield trio with on-loan pair James Vincent and Tom Beadling against the Lions.
And the former Partick Thistle midfielder admits he is enjoying his football again after a frustrating spell under Paul Hartley at Falkirk.
He added: “Obviously, it’s nice to be starting games and playing the full games, but you’ve got to make sure you stay in the team, and you do that by playing well.
“So, fingers crossed I can keep playing well and keep my place in the team.
“It does take time when you play with new players, especially if they’re also in the same area of the team.
“But Tom and James and I have been training together and I thought we worked well as a three in the last game, even though it was two points dropped in the end.”
