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MANAGER Paul Hartley and club captain Mitch Megginson spoke to the media after we guaranteed our place in the Championship promotion play-offs with a 2-0 victory over Montrose at Links Park.

Mitch scored either side of half-time to ensure another victory over Airdrieonians at Balmoral Stadium tomorrow would also secure second spot in League One – in our first season playing at this level.

Paul said: “I’m extremely proud of the players for guaranteeing us a place in the play-offs.

“To be sitting second in a top four in which three of the other clubs are full-time is a great achievement.

“Especially when you add in where we have come from.

“We are a small club, but we just keep battling and fighting.

“We did it with a very good performance at Montrose as well, we were excellent from start to finish.

“Mitch scored two great goals, he’s been our talisman throughout the season.

“We also got another clean sheet, which is always important.

“That’s despite it being our third hard game inside a week and having to chop and change the side because the players are getting no rest before they are being asked to go out there again.

“We would like to secure second spot, that’s the big thing for us now, although we know that won’t be easy against an Airdrie side who will come here with their own reasons for needing the three points.

“No matter what happens, it’s an exciting time for the club, to have made the play-offs just two years after stepping into the SPFL.

“We would have loved to have won League One, but all credit to Partick Thistle for the way they secured the title.

“I would like to congratulate manager Ian McCall and his players because they had been on a great run.

“For us, it’s a case of going again and seeing if we can keep our own good run going against Airdrie and then look to start preparing for the play-offs.”

Mitch, whose goals brought his tally for the season to 14, said: “It was a great all round performance.

“We felt we were due Montrose one because they are the only team to have beaten us twice this season.

“It also meant we knew what to expect from them and it was pleasing to get a win over a good side.

“We were different class on the night and it was a great way to secure our place in the play-offs.

“It’s a massive achievement in only our second season playing in the SPFL, to have the chance to play in the Championship for Cove.

“If someone had offered us that at the start of the season we would have jumped at it, especially with three full-time teams also in League One.

“We have only lost once in our games against them, which is a great record.

“That will give us confidence when we eventually go into the play-offs, but we have Saturday’s game to deal with first.”

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