“We defended very well on Saturday and, although Derek Soutar had a few saves to make, there was nothing you would not have expected him to stop, so we were worth our point,” he said today. “What has disappointed me in this game and others recently is that we did not do enough in an attacking sense. We have to be looking to do more.

“Everyone takes part responsibility for that, the strikers because they maybe need to do a wee bit more to make things happen for themselve,s and the other players because the quality of service to the front has not been as good as it can be.”

In the build-up to Wednesday’s Dens clash with Clyde, Alan and assistant Billy Kirkwood are likely to pay particular attention to set-pieces, an area that has been disappointing.

“When you look at the height in our team, we really should be getting more from them than we are. The delivery from free-kicks and corners has not been great, but maybe it is also a case of the players in the box needing to be more aggressive and being prepared to bully their way to getting to the ball.”

As well as highlighting areas where he feels his men can do better, the manager took time out today to praise the contribution of centre-half Bobby Mann.

“I thought Bobby was outstanding on Saturday and he has performed consistently well since I arrived. Without being disrespectful to the First Division, that does not surprise me because a player of his stature and experience should stand out at this level. That’s taking nothing away from him and his level of performance has been very good.”

Wednesday’s clash with Clyde will come too soon for striker Steven Craig or keeper Kelvin Jack, who has suffered a reaction in training and will also miss Saturday’s trip to Airdrie United. Craig is a doubt for that one. “That’s three or four weeks he has been out, and it is going to take at least a full week’s training before he is ready.”