Dunfermline manager Jim Jefferies will keep reaching for the light at the end of the tunnel, after the Pars gave themselves a glimmer of hope by reducing the deficit on Hibs to six points.

Jefferies side hit the net four times in a breathtaking 4-4 draw with St Mirren last weekend, while Hibs lost at home to Kilmarnock.

The Pars are still playing for snookers in the race to stay up, but Jefferies said his charges will never stop fighting, with a chance at a first home win of the campaign against Aberdeen on Saturday.

The East End Park boss said: "There's a wee bit of light at the end of the tunnel and what we've done is extend that last opportunity from last week to this week.

"If Hibs had have won it would've been virtually all over. If we had lost it would've been virtually all over, but now we've extended that wee hope we had for another week.

"We must win on Saturday. It's at home, we must win, put some pressure on Hibs and we'll see how they handle it on Sunday.”

The Dons announced this week that eight first team players will depart Pittodrie this summer, with youngsters taking their places in the team for the remaining four games of the season.

Jefferies does not think this will help his side, but urged his players to stay focused on their own game.

The former Hearts manager said: "I'd rather he played the other boys. When you get young players or fringe players coming in they're all eager to do well and an unknown quantity.

"I'll be telling the boys to concentrate on ourselves."