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Defenders beginning to steal Dunfermline headlines

| 10.11.2015

Up until now when people have discussed Ladbrokes League 1’s Dunfermline Athletic, it’s usually to do with how many goals they’ve scored. But not so much anymore.

The Pars began the season in unmatchable style, netting 25 goals in their opening five games across League and Cup.

They’re quickly became heavy favourites for the League 1 title, and further comprehensive wins through September only emphasised Dunfermline’s chances.

But Allan Johnstone’s men were held 0-0 at home to Peterhead last weekend, repeating the goalless stalemate from a week prior at Cowdenbeath.

It’s the first time since 2006 the Pars have endured successive blanks in front of goal, but what it has highlighted is an incredible run for the defensive side of the team.

Dunfermline haven’t conceded in 522 minutes of football, keeping five successive clean sheets since George Hunter netted for Airdrie in the 1-1 draw back on September 26.

Keeping Peterhead out was no mean feat either, with the Blue Toon boasting the division’s top scorer in Rory McAllister.

Marc McAusland was awarded Man of the Match in the game, and since his arrival in September it’s no coincidence the Pars’ defence has tightened up a notch with the former St Mirren skipper pairing up alongside Ben Richards-Everton.

Speaking after the game, McAusland said: “We are getting a unity together and forming a good partnership. We have been quite a consistent back four in the last three or four games, you get familiar with each other and you learn what they are going to do.

“That is a positive for us, and hopefully we can keep the clean sheets coming.”

The Pars have conceded just eight times in the league this term, six less than any other side, and despite the dry spell in front of goal at the other end, Dunfermline are still the division’s top scorers by a generous nine goals, going some way to explaining their 1/5 price to win Ladbrokes League 1 come May.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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Author

Richard Marsh

Richard loves his sport, especially if it involves the sound of tyres screaming around a race track. He's not fussy though and his '90s Premier League nostalgia and knowledge of team nicknames is tough to match.