Dunfermline skipper Gary Mason believes his experienced team-mates could be the key to keeping the Pars in the SPL ahead of their showdown with Hibernian.

The Fife side have to win to keep their survival hopes alive and Mason is confident after beating Pat Fenlon’s men the last time they visited Easter Road.

With several veterans in the dressing room, the 32-year-old feels they can handle the high-pressure situations.

"We've got a lot of experienced boys in the team and sometimes it's what's needed, at times like this," said Mason, who helped the Pars stay up in 2005 and 2007.

"Hopefully that can see us through on Monday to get us this result.

"We've been there before and won. We can do it. It's never an easy place to go, but if we can get an early goal and get their fans on their backs, that's what we'll be aiming to do."

Dunfermline started their bottom six campaign with a 4-4 draw with St Mirren, a result which Mason believes could still turn out to be a major match in their season.

He said: "I think the turning point was the St Mirren one when we were 4-2 down and the spirit of the boys showed to come back and get a point.

"It was a massive result and with getting the win at home against Aberdeen we're still in with a fighting chance, but the games are running out.

"It's not getting any easier. We know what we've got to do. We've got to go there to try to win the game.

"We've got two games left and there are still six points to be had.

"It will be a high tempo game, I'd have thought. I think it will be an open game and hopefully we can get the goals we need and take it to the last game."