It was a scenario Montrose chairman Derek Sim admitted back in January was, “one that we would essentially not like to contemplate”.
However, the doomsday scenario of his club leaving the SPFL after a pyramid play-off has now become a distinct possibility.
The Gable Endies are currently rock bottom of League Two and lost again at the weekend at East Fife.
That defeat combined with ninth placed Clyde’s surprise win at Annan means Paul Hegarty’s side are now 11 points adrift at the foot of the table with just five games to play.
It will take a minor miracle for the Angus side to overhaul Clyde and if they fail to do so, they will face the winner of a tie between the champions of the Lowland League and the Highland League.
If Montrose didn’t win that play-off, next season they would be in the Highland League.
Today is deadline day for clubs wishing to apply for membership of the SPFL from the Lowland and Highland League. Edinburgh City wrapped up the former a couple of weeks ago while Brora Rangers retained their Highland title at the weekend with a win at Turriff United.
City had previously stated that they would be more than happy to try to gain entry to the SPFL if their ground met with the proper criteria but there had been uncertainty over Brora’s intentions.
However, club sponsor Ben Mackay said last week that he would continue to support the club if it earns promotion into senior football.
He stated: “Whatever happens at the end of the season, I will be there for Brora.
“We will abide by the laws of the play-off system and Brora Rangers will never go on to a football park, not trying to win the game.
“I have backed my club as much as I can and I can categorically confirm I will continue to back them as much as I can wherever we are playing our football next season.
“We have still to see what the true costs are for a team from the very far north of Scotland playing in Scottish League Two.
“Whether we can compete at that level is an entirely different question.
“The club will have to go wherever our journey takes us.”
No-one at Links Park has run up the white flag yet however if they fail to pull off a League Two great escape, then their future will be settled via the pyramid play-off.
The rules state that if “Club 42” the side finishing bottom of League Two loses the tie, they will be relegated to the SHFL if their ground is north of Latitude 56,4513N, to all intents and purposes the River Tay.
However, there may be a possible lifeline for Montrose as the rules also state that, “if neither Champion club complies with any part of the membership criteria as determined by the SPFL Board, there will be no play-off competition and Club 42 will retain their place in SPFL League 2”.