It’s a must-win fixture for East Fife at Brechin this evening if they are to keep their slim hopes of snatching a playoff spot alive, although manager John Robertson will be looking for an improvement on their weekend showing first and foremost.
The Fifers are nine points adrift of tonight’s hosts, and will need to win all of their remaining four games including tonight’s to stand any chance of going up, while City themselves will be eyeing as high a finish as possible to give themselves the best opportunity of promotion if and when they make the playoffs.
With East Fife’s focus realistically starting to shift towards building for next season, Robbo was disappointed with Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Stenhousemuir, and will be keen to see better from his players when they travel north tonight.
“Stenhousemuir showed a hunger and commitment we were lacking,” he said. “We know we can play much better than that.”
Strikers Ryan Wallace and Steven Hislop are rated doubtful for the trip to Glebe Park, while Robert Sloan and Jim Hamilton are again likely to be sidelined through injury for the visitors.
Brechin assistant manager Kevin McGowne said he doesn’t care if they win ugly tonight as long as they pick up three points.
“It’s a massive game but every game is at this stage of the season. If you win you give yourself an unbelievable chance to be in the play-offs,” said McGowne.
“The players are looking a wee bit tired but they’ve got to draw on all their reserves. It’s not about playing good football it’s about grinding out the results. I don’t mind winning ugly, as long as we pick up three points.
“East Fife have still got a chance of making the play-offs, but our destiny’s in our own hands.”
Brechin go into tonight’s game without Ewan Moyes and top scorer Rory McAllister who are both suspended, although Gerry McLauchlan and Paul McLean are looking to shake off knocks.