Kenny takes heart despite defeat

Stephen Kenny looked on in horror as his team went 3-0 down

Dejected Dunfermline Athletic manager Stephen Kenny praised his players for battling back from 3-0 down before losing the Challenge Cup final.

"We created loads of chances," he said after the 3-2 defeat by St Johnstone.

"But, after the way we defended for a spell in the first half, we gave ourselves a lot do do.

"I thought the players were tremendous to get back into the game the way they did. We hit the crossbar twice and made Alan Main make some good saves."

Kenny has been under pressure with his team, among the favourites for promotion, sitting second bottom of the Division One table following relegation last term.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to the Challenge Cup final defeat

He had been quoted before the final as criticising the attitude of some of his players and threatening them with being replaced during the January transfer window.

But he took renewed heart from their efforts at Dens Park.

"The players are gutted in the dressing-room, but we'll pick ourselves up," he insisted.

"The margins for error in that game were narrow and congratulations to St Johnstone for their victory."