Jim Jefferies maintains belief Dunfermline can perform a Houdini act and escape relegation from the Clydesdale Bank Premier League as his side prepare for Monday's must-win clash at Hibernian.
The Pars travel to Easter Road facing a five-point deficit to Hibs and knowing only victory is enough to take the survival duel to the final day of the season.
Jefferies succeeded Jim McIntyre as manager in March enthused by the challenge of securing safety and the former Hearts boss is determined to extend a run of one win and three draws in six games in charge.
Jefferies said: "We're not giving up the fight. It's a tall order. It was a tall order when I came in. It's probably more difficult now, but until it's impossible you always have that will.
"The most important thing is to try to take it to the last game of the season and then we'll see. Anything can happen on the last day."
Hibs beat Aberdeen 2-1 on Wednesday night and Dunfermline could only draw to open up a five-point gap with two games to play.
Should the Pars win on Monday, the relegation duel would go to the final day of the season.
Even then, Hibs would have to lose at Inverness and Dunfermline win against Kilmarnock.
Jefferies added: "We need to win the two games and then hope a result goes our way.
"All we can focus on is this game on Monday night. We both know what's at stake.
"We can't play for a draw because a draw's no good."
Jefferies has been pleased with the performances of his charges of late and rued the fact they are running out of time.
Jefferies added: "We're giving it our best shot and there has been a bit of an improvement in results.
"Maybe if the season was another three or four weeks things would've improved a wee bit better to maybe have pulled us through."
There is an added dimension on Monday, with the fact Jefferies is set to lock horns with his long-time assistant Billy Brown for the first time in the professional game.
The duo began the season as the management team at Hearts, but Brown became assistant boss at Hibs late last year, pitting the two friends against each other for the first time since the 1980s when Jefferies was at Gala Fairydean and Brown at Musselburgh.
Jefferies added: "We'll have a chat before it, during it probably as well. There will be no animosity and there will be enough respect shown.
"We're two lads that know each other so well that we won't fall out about it that's for sure.
"But it's nothing to do with Billy and me. It's about the players that cross the line."
To leave a comment, please sign in.