Garry Wood reckons Montrose are in decent fettle for their pyramid play-off first leg at Brora Rangers on Saturday.
The Gable Endies finished a dismal League Two campaign with a defeat after a spirited second-half fightback at Annan was undone by the loss of a late goal.
But striker Wood feels his side, who took seven points from nine before losing their last two, are still playing well enough to succeed against the Highland League champions, who overcame Edinburgh City on penalties in the play-off semi-final.
Annan were 2-0 up at the break after a double from Peter Weatherson. Wood pulled one back before Junior Ogen restored the hosts’ two-goal cushion.
Goals from sub Leighton McIntosh and Ross Campbell looked like salvaging a point for Paul Hegarty’s side, but Martin McNiff won it with a header five minutes from the end.
Wood, who has played for Inverness, Ross County, Elgin and Peterhead, added: “I know a lot of the Brora boys from when I played up in the Highlands, so nothing about them will come as a surprise to me. We just need to make sure we cut out the type of mistakes we made at Annan.
“I don’t see why we can’t come through the play-offs.”
Montrose FC Supporters’ Club will be running buses to Saturday’s match against Brora.
The transport will leave Links Park at 8.30am. To book a seat email busconvenor@mfcsc.co.uk or call 01674 671696.