ALLAN Johnston knows just how special winning a league title can be – but has urged his Dunfermline players to avoid celebrating before they cross the finishing line.

The Pars can clinch the League One championship at East End Park tomorrow if they beat Brechin City and second-placed Peterhead lose at home to relegation-threatened Cowdenbeath.

Johnston admits finally securing promotion on home soil would be the perfect scenario but is desperate for his side not to lose focus on winning the match first before hoping for a favour from their Fife rivals.

The former Hearts and Rangers winger, who led Queen of the South to the League One title in 2013, said: “We can’t rely on other teams to do us a favour. We’ve just got to concentrate on ourselves.

“It’s another massive game and another step closer, against a team that’s on form just now having won their last four games.

“They’re scoring goals and not conceding goals so it’s going to be a tough task.

“Knowing we can win the title doesn’t change anything. If anything, it gives the boys even more incentive to go and do well and go and win the game.

“They’re really lively, they’ve been buzzing all week and they can’t wait for the next game to come.

“We’ve got to take that energy and make sure they produce that in the game and, with the quality we’ve got, hopefully we’ll win.

“It would make it special if it was to happen this weekend because I’m sure, with the chance to go on and win the league, the fans will turn out in their numbers and get behind the players.

“We’ve just got to make sure we get over the line first before we start celebrating.”