Montrose and Arbroath can see the possibility of a Scottish Cup run stretching ahead for the victors of their second round replay.
Monday’s third round draw has set up a home clash with Highland League side Nairn County for whoever is still standing after the game, which has to be settled by extra-time or penalties if necessary.
Neither of the two managers is trying to downplay the opportunity that cup progression offers up.
Montrose’s George Shields said: “Nairn County at home, with a good chance of getting into the fourth round, is definitely a great incentive.
“It’s a while since this club had a good cup run or drew a big club and we’re hoping to change that.”
Arbroath boss Allan Moore added: “Nairn County at home is a good draw in the next round. No disrespect to Nairn but both ourselves and Montrose will be looking at that as a winnable tie and a chance to go in with the big guns in the round after that.”
Shields has seen enough in the first match, and the sides’ league clash, to give him confidence for their third encounter of the season.
He pointed out: “There’s not much difference between the two teams.
“We could have won last weekend in the end. Their keeper had a very good save. But overall, a draw was a fair result.
“If you’d asked me if I’d have taken a replay before we started, I’d have said ‘no problem’.”
Moore has no qualms about having to win at Links Park to progress in the cup, given their strong record on the road this season.
He said: “We do not have to be overly concerned at losing home advantage as we have won our three league games away from home.
“There is no reason why we cannot go to Links Park and win.
“We are still a bit disappointed at losing the lead twice in the first game and are looking to make up for that in this one.
“We had chances to win it although I recognise that they had a chance just before the end when they could have stolen it.
“Montrose are a dangerous side from set-pieces so we have to ensure that we do not give away fouls around our box. I have watched the goals that we conceded and we did not defend them at all well.
“At both goals we let the ball travel too far into our box without defending it.
“We had a good chat about it on Wednesday night at training and have put it to bed now.”
Leighton McIntosh will serve the last game of his suspension, while Stephen Day will be working in Newcastle. Terry Masson returns though.
The Lichties add Jordan Lowdon to their squad after injury and Kevin Nicoll returns after work commitments. However, on-loan Dundee midfielder Dylan Carreiro is on international duty with Canada and Jack Smith remains out with an elbow injury.