Andy Ryan has seen the good and bad of the play-offs but is desperate to help ensure Dunfermline experience the drama for themselves by clinching a top four spot this afternoon.
Ryan was part of the Hamilton Accies side that stunned Hibernian in a penalty-kicks victory in 2014 to win promotion to the Premiership.
But, last year, he lost out against Alloa Athletic in another spot-kicks decider that denied Airdrie a place in the final and the opportunity to battle for a place in the Championship.
This time round, the 23-year-old is focused fully on Dunfermline getting the positive result they need against Dumbarton this afternoon to guarantee they will take their promotion dreams beyond the last Saturday of the league campaign.
An injury-time equaliser from Nicky Clark against Inverness Caley Thistle last weekend means a point will do, even if the Highlanders win on the road at Morton.
He said: “We’re all excited. When you look back at last weekend and Nicky’s goal in the 95th minute it proves to be crucial now.
“We know now that it’s in our own hands and that’s what you want.
“We always knew we could get ourselves into the position where that would be the case, and that’s the best scenario we could hope for.
“We’ve been on a good run of results lately and now we’ve got a chance to secure the play-off place. We know we need a point, but we’ll be going out looking for all three.
“Having been involved in the play-offs before, it’s tough on the players, both mentally and physically.
“But we need to get ourselves there first before we start worrying about the play-offs.”
Ryan was recruited from Airdrie in August but has found it hard to depose the partnership of 21-goal Clark and the hard-working Declan McManus.
Last Saturday was just his fourth league start of 22 appearances in a frustrating first campaign with the Pars.
But, having grabbed the opening goal in the 2-2 draw with Inverness, the former Forfar Athletic marksman is hopeful he can play an integral part in trying to get the East End Park outfit back into the top-flight.
He added: “I’ve had to be patient this season but Nicky Clark and Declan McManus have been scoring goals and have formed a good partnership together.
“I always knew before I came here that I would have to be patient, but it’s nice to be involved just now.
“It’s a case of better late than never. I’ve got my chance and I got my goal last weekend as well.
“I wasn’t going throw the toys out the pram or anything like that. They had formed a good partnership and the team had been winning games, so I couldn’t really complain.
“I had to be patient and luckily enough the manager gave me a chance last Saturday, and I did myself no harm in scoring.”
