PARS skipper Kyle Benedictus will be glad to see the back of a frustrating, injury-plagued season.
His first goal of the campaign - in the second last match - helped get the point they needed for Championship safety but the centre back has only featured in 14 league games due to a broken foot and two separate thigh injuries.
A season of promise, with Dunfermline still in the mix for a shot at promotion until a fortnight ago, ended in anti-climax with the team hanging on against Inverness for a 1-1 draw that ensures they can't finish in the relegation play-off spot.
Asked if he was happy to see the season coming to an end, Benedictus said: "I think that's the overriding emotion.
"It's been a tough, tough season. The boys give everything, every week, but probably that quality has just not been there in certain games.
"The most important thing now, after we couldn't get in the play-offs up the way, was to just stay in the league and that's what we've done with a week to go.
"We just need to accept it."
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Captain Kyle said the players expected more from this season and explained: "There was a chance to make the play-offs but, considering all that's happened this season in terms of all the injuries, I just think the timing of the injuries has been terrible.
"Boys have been out for months, there have been games where we've had, maybe, 14 players for nine games in a row or whatever it was.
"So you take all that into consideration. It's nice to obviously confirm our status for next season but we always strive to be better.
"The manager's work will never stop, that'll be him preparing for next season now and he'll want to bring bodies in who can give us that extra bit of quality to go and progress.
"So wherever we finish this season, we have to improve on that next season."
Benedictus started the campaign for Athletic but fractured his foot in the 1-1 draw against Inverness on September 2, came back against Raith on October 28 but was then hurt and absent again until the match at Ayr on December 30.
Another setback in that game kept him out until March 9 for the away day at Stark's Park.
He's featured in every match since and a top performance against Inverness was capped with a goal. Benedictus said: "It's just good to be back. I think that's eight matches in a row I've played.
"Considering how many games of football I've missed this season, I'm delighted and happy to get a goal too.
"They don't come around very often so it's nice to do that."
Some desperate defending was needed to hold onto the point and Benedictus admitted to mixed emotions at full time.
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He said: "We obviously wanted three points as it's the last home game of the season in front of our fans.
"They've come out in numbers and backed us again and, on reflection, I think a draw was probably a fair result."
His goal settled Athletic nerves and saw the skipper time his run to perfection to meet a cross and thump a header into the net.
Benedictus recalled: "I'm sure it was Cammy Kerr that was marking me and I thought 'I've got a bit of height on him'.
"The ball went back to Paul Allan, I just saw him and thought 'He's going to swing this' so I thought I'd run and see what happens.
"It was a nice connection and it was good to get my first goal of the season.
"It was nice just to keep us in the league and get a nice goal to top it off."
Deniz Mehmet's penalty heroics also helped and the skipper said: "Four in a row. I don't think there's many goalkeepers round the world who can say they've done that. Four penalties in a row he's saved so congratulations to the big man.
"He's been different class since he came to the club. He's pulled off important saves so I'm delighted for him."
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