CHRIS Kane laughed off accusations that he cheated to win the penalty that rescued a point for the Pars and kept their promotion hopes alive.
Thistle weren't happy with the award - which the loan striker nervelessly tucked away - and complained bitterly that it was a dive but he was adamant the ref got it right.
Kane said: “A lot of people might give me stick for it but he catches me right down my Achilles.
"My boot nearly came off as well. It’s a penalty.
"They will think it is soft but at the end of the day it is. I’m just thankful that I put away.”
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A heavily sanded pitch and a strong wind made for tricky conditions but Kane was on the spot to grab a leveller for the Pars, even if the ball kept rolling off it.
He added: “It was the same with corners, free kicks, goal kicks.
"The wind was strong but I just had to compose myself and thankfully I scored it.”
Having converted the penalty the hitman thought he'd won the match for the Pars in the 88th minute, but his terrific half volley from outside the box rattled back off the woodwork.
Matty Todd had earlier hit the same upright and Kane admitted: "We had a bit of bad luck, hitting the post twice.
"I don’t know how Matty’s shot never went in. On another day hopefully they do go in and get us the win.”
While happy to get something from the match, Dunfermline are in fifth place in the table and could have done with all three points in their bid to reach the promotion play-offs.
Both Athletic and Thistle were in form, having won their previous three matches, and Kane acknowledged: "It was a big game for us and we wanted to make it four (wins) out of four.
"They go one nil up and then make it hard for us but second half I thought we were excellent.
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"We created loads of chances and hit the post a couple of times.
"On another day we could have scored three or four.
"We are disappointed that we never won but it could be a big point come the end of the season."
Pars boss James McPake said: “To show the character to come back into the game and get the point, the feeling is one of pride in that group."
Asked about his super striker, he replied: "I can't talk highly enough of Chris Kane.
"You can see why he's played in the Premier League for so long.
"We are delighted that we could get him in and he didn’t disappoint today. He is a proper striker."
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