A home Scottish Cup tie against Dundee United will be Dunfermline’s reward if they can negotiate tonight’s replay with Stranraer, and it’s a prize boss Jim Jefferies has his sights firmly set on.
Almost a year has passed since the Pars exited administration, 12 months this week to be exact, and everyone at East End Park knows how important a bumper fifth round tie with Jackie McNamara’s men in February could prove to be financially let alone in terms of progress on the park.
Jefferies knows booking a fifth round slot will not be simple, borne out by the fact that Stranraer came from 2-0 down to earn a replay deep into injury time in the first game at Stair Park.
But the Pars boss is confident his men can finish the job and set up a glamour last 16 tie in February.
“It’s a great incentive for both teams and we know that if we can get through Dundee United would probably bring a bigger crowd to East End Park than they would if it was Stranraer,” he commented.
“It would be an attractive fixture because both teams have a lot of young players, and it would be a good spectacle I would think in terms of a football game.
“We would have nothing to lose our priority is the league and we just want to make sure that we get into the next round.
“The target was always to try and get into the last 16 and anything from there is a bonus.
“But we’ve got to play well against Stranraer to do that.”
Jefferies hopes home advantage this time around will be a huge help, particularly as Stranraer’s last and only win at East End Park came in the League Cup in season 1979/80.
“I think the boys are determined going into the game and you can tell they were a bit aggrieved going seven minutes into injury time against Stranraer in the first game,” he continued.
“That’s football and you just have to accept it.
“We were comfortable down there at 2-0 with 10 minutes to go, and then there’s a freak goal and it would have lifted any team.
“By Stevie Aitken’s own admission, they were out the cup at that point so they got a lifeline and it gives them a chance.
“The advantage has swung back to us because it’s at our ground now but they’ll still be difficult opponents.
“They always work hard and they showed that against Morton when they beat them on Saturday.
“We’re going into the game on a high and the last two home games we’ve produced four goals in each game.
“As long as we’ve got one more than Stranraer, that’s all that counts.
“As I say, Stevie himself admitted they got a wee bit lucky, but hopefully the luck will be on our side this time.”
Striker Michael Moffat will be added to the squad after the birth of his first child at the weekend, while defender Stuart Urquhart and striker Gozie Ugwu had fitness tests yesterday and remain doubtful.
Lewis Martin is also struggling after he suffered a groin strain in training on Thursday, although Gregor Buchanan and Ryan Thomson should be available despite picking up knocks in the 4-2 league win over Ayr on Saturday.
“We’ve got to be careful we had them in today and we had them in on Sunday but we didn’t do too much because you just never know with cup ties with extra-time and things like that, although we’re obviously hoping to finish it in 90 minutes,” Jefferies added.
“You just have to prepare for every eventuality, and it will be another hard-fought game there’s nothing surer than that.”
Jefferies went on to reveal that he will enquire about the possibility of bringing defender Jonathan Page back early to bolster his options.
The centre half’s 93-day loan at East Fife is due to end on Friday, although Page might yet be added to the Pars squad if Jefferies can recall him.