The mood in the Dunfermline camp for the trip to face Morton could scarcely be more different to that on the club’s last trip to Greenock nearly 18 months ago.
On that occasion, in April last year, the Pars had just been officially placed in administration, were just days on from the sacking of seven first-team regulars and possessed a dismal record of just one win in 14.
By contrast, this afternoon, the Fifers head west having risen to the summit of League One on the back of a third straight league victory and having come close to pulling off a shock against Premiership side St Mirren in the League Cup.
Yet, no matter the disparity in feeling ahead of the match, the East End Park men would undoubtedly accept the same result come the full-time whistle a 1-0 victory.
Manager Jim Jefferies said: “I remember just after administration we went down there when they were top of the league and were favourites, and we got a 1-0 win with a goal from Ryan Thomson.
“It was our first game after we officially went into administration and to go down there and get a win was terrific.
“It was a baptism of fire for some of the younger players. We had a team thrown together in a pressure situation, but some of them have come through the experience great.”
Last weekend’s 2-0 victory at home to Stenhousemuir, with Thomson getting the crucial opening goal, followed on from wins against Stranraer and Airdrie and allowed the Pars to go top on goal difference from Ayr United and Forfar Athletic.
It is the spot the Fifers have wanted since before a ball was kicked this term, and it is a position they crave to keep until the final whistle goes on the campaign.
Jefferies will hope surging ahead, albeit in slender fashion for now, will buoy the belief of the young side that has grown up since being thrust into the limelight with administration.
He added: “It’s always nice for everyone to see us up there but to remain there you’ve got to keep winning matches or picking up points. You’re there to be shot at.
“We’re not the only ones at the top because there are two other teams on 10 points, so things can change very, very quickly with one result.
“But, we’re on a wee run and confidence is up. If you can’t go into a game looking forward to it when you’re top of the league and just won your last three games and having played well in the games we’ve lost then you’re never going to.
“We see a difference in some of the players we had in the squad last year. We see them maturing a wee bit.
“They’re still a bit short but if they keep improving like they’re doing then in another year these boys will become very, very good players.”