Scottish Championship: Can Dunfermline end wretched run at Partick Thistle in BBC live game?

Kris Doolan has got the better of James McPake twice in the league already this campaign

Two months is a long time in football. Dunfermline Athletic are learning that the hard way.

On 23 December 2023, James McPake's side were four points clear in fourth - the Scottish Championship's final promotion play-off spot.

Just over 60 days later, on a wretched run of nine games without a win, the Pars have slipped down to ninth - the relegation play-off position.

A draw last weekend against Arbroath - who are six points behind, propping up the table - was not the ideal result, admitted McPake, but he was heartened by the performance, noting it was "night and day" compared to some that have come before.

Performances will need to be turned into points, though, if they want to avoid the risk of dropping down to League 1 after storming back up to the second tier last season.

As is the fluctuating nature of the league, it's a far cry from a crisis for now - especially as the Fife side have a game in hand over the two teams directly above.

But a big week for the Pars - with fellow strugglers Inverness CT and play-off hopefuls Ayr United to come - kicks off in a trip to face Partick Thistle on Friday night, live on BBC Scotland.

• Championship games live on BBC in March

Pars to prosper after 'worst' injury crisis?

The return of a few crucial bodies for such a hectic and pivotal period will no doubt be a relief for McPake.

Dunfermline have been ravaged with injuries of late - eight regulars missed the 1-1 draw with Arbroath. At times McPake, who experienced his fair share of time on the sidelines as a player, said it was the "worst" injury crisis he'd ever seen.

It hit particularly hard in defence, to the degree midfielders Chris Hamilton, who wore a mask to protect a cheekbone injury, and Ewan Otoo were deployed as makeshift centre-halves.

That all changed against Jim McIntyre's side, though, with on-loan Cardiff City duo Xavier Benjamin and goalscorer Malachi Fagan-Walcott at the heart of the back four.

It's perhaps a stretch to suggest a settled defence when key figures such as captain Kyle Benedictus, Sam Fisher and Rhys Breen are still missing, but a hint of stability will please Pars fans.

As will the impending return of fan favourite Matty Todd in midfield and experienced striker Alex Jakubiak from prolonged lay-offs.

Former St Johnstone team-mates Chris Kane and Michael O'Halloran have been reunited at East End Park

Throw in the addition of Chris Kane, on loan until the end of the season from St Johnstone, and McPake's squad is looking a little fuller.

There were promising signs from 29-year-old Kane on his debut - can he rekindle a partnership made in Perth with Michael O'Halloran?

Early signs of a corner being turned were on show against Arbroath, but only just. McPake's men need a big performance - and result - at Firhill on Friday, says former Thistle boss Ian McCall.

"Their injuries have been horrendous, but not as bad as Arbroath's," McCall told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"They need to turn things around really quickly or they could be in real danger of going back down. That wasn't in their script when they won promotion last summer."

Jags show steeliness in stuffy scenarios

While Dunfermline are toiling at the bottom end of the table, Thistle are in hot pursuit of promotion.

Only Premiership Livingston, in the most dramatic of Scottish Cup ties, have got the better of Kris Doolan's side in 2024. The Maryhill men occupy third, with a nine-point cushion over fifth-placed Ayr in the hunt for the play-offs, although the Jags will be desperate to end a run of three league draws on Friday night.

McCall isn't ruling out his former side - currently 10 points behind leaders Dundee United - making a late charge for the title, but reckons they'd be favourites had they done more to keep Kevin Holt and Ross Docherty last summer.

"I was pretty certain that given the correct deal, where it's since been proven that they could have afforded it, Holt and Docherty would both have stayed," said McCall.

"And I think them in this Thistle team would make them favourites for the title. There was just so much unrest around Thistle at the time and I think that's why they they got out the door."

Spearheading Thistle's hopes is the division's top scorer Brian Graham, whose double against Inverness CT last time out dragged the Jags to a 3-3 draw in a game they twice trailed in.

That knack and know-how to grind out a result is prominent among the Thistle ranks. Dunfermline could do worse than take note of such steeliness as they look to preserve their second-tier status.