Jamie Robson is praying it will be third time lucky for Dundee United and himself.
The full-back watched from the bench on the two previous occasions the Tangerines faced a play-off decider.
They lost the final 1-0 on aggregate to Hamilton Accies in 2017 then were beaten 4-3 by Livingston over two legs in last season’s semi.
Robson genuinely feels it will be a different outcome for the Tannadice club this time as they head to Paisley for tomorrow’s crunch clash with St Mirren following a goalless home leg on Thursday.
An unhappy hat-trick would be a nightmare for both club and player but Robson is in a positive mood going into the game at the Simple Digital Arena.
He said: “The last two years have been really disappointing because it has ended the season on a low.
“The goal at this club is to get promoted but the last twice we have gone away for the summer knowing it would be the Championship again.
“It’s hard when you know you haven’t gone up and it does affect you over the summer.
“The club is equipped to go up and I think the team is good enough.
“However, it’s just about getting over that final hurdle this time.
“I hope it’s different this time and I feel more positive about it than I did in previous seasons.
“I think all the players feel like that, as do the fans and the city as a whole.
“I have loads of friends who are United fans and they are desperate for us to get promoted,” he added.
“When I was a little boy I was sitting with them in the Shed watching United play in the top six and fighting for Europe.
“We were always a Premiership club so that’s where we have to get back to.
“I feel we are ready for it.
“When you consider the dressing-room we have now, there are players in there who have played in Europe and Scottish Cup finals – bigger games than Sunday’s one.
“We just can’t get too wrapped up in the occasion. We have to concentrate on what’s happening on the pitch and try to find a way through it.
“The aim all season has been to get promoted and we are so close now.”
While they failed to gain an advantage to carry with them to the west tomorrow, Robson still feels there were positives to take out of Thursday’s stalemate.
He said: “We had plenty of chances so we will go there on Sunday in high spirits.
“Everything is positive. We just want to get down there and get the job done.
“We have nothing to lose now, have worked hard to get this chance to get back to the Premiership and we want to take it.
“It will now be about recovering and getting ready for Sunday.”
Robson also thinks the team’s 2-1 win in the William Hill Scottish Cup on February 9 should give them belief.
“We went down there in the cup and won so we know we can go there and get a victory,” he said.
“There is no reason at all why we can’t do it again.”
The 21-year-old also suspects the game will open up more than it did at Tannadice.
He added: “I was surprised St Mirren sat in the other night and I don’t think they will do that again.
“What they do is up to them, though, and if they do open up that means there will be plenty of room for Paul McMullan, Peter Pawlett and the players like that.”
The away end will be packed to capacity tomorrow as the United supporters back their team to the hilt again. Indeed, their allocation for this match could have sold out several times over.
Robson, a boyhood fan himself, said: “The reaction of the supporters has been incredible all season.
“They have turned out in their numbers home and away.
“I thought they were amazing on Thursday and I’m sure the away end will be jam-packed on Sunday.
“They will have the place bouncing.”
