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The team has a break from League One this weekend as we enter this season’s SPFL Trust Trophy with a home game against Montrose.

The pair last went head-to-head in the competition five years ago, a 2-2 draw after which the visitors went through 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out.

We emerged victorious just three weeks ago, picking up our solitary league win of the campaign with a comprehensive 3-0 victory at Links Park during which our front three caused major problems for the Montrose defence.

Manager Paul Hartley is hoping for a repeat showing after successive disappointing performances, and emphasises this is a tournament he treats entirely seriously:

“We had a good run a couple of years ago, getting all the way to the semi-finals, and we were very unlucky to lose that night against Queen of the South.”

“I want to win every game my teams play, and this competition is just as important to me as any of the others.

“It is also nice to get a little break from the league. Having played well against the title favourites Falkirk and being denied all three points deep into stoppage time, the boys then put in a great performance against Montrose down at Links Park.

“I had hoped that would be the springboard for the campaign to take off, but I have to admit the performances since have been disappointing. There is no point in trying to sugar coat it, in the last couple of weeks we have dipped below the levels I expect, and I know we can be so much better.

“We have had plenty possession in both those matches, but we have not made that count. It’s all very well having plenty of the ball, but unless you damage the opposition, make those incisive passes, then it is pointless.”

“We need to get back to what we did against Montrose last time out. That day, we created plenty openings and gave the forwards good chances, and as a result all three were on target. We’ve got good options at that end of the pitch, but if they are to get us the goals we want, they do need the right kind of service.

“That is something we have been emphasising and working on in training this week, and I hope to see that play out.”

Captain Mitch Megginson has featured in our six previous Challenge Cup campaigns and been a regular scorer. He is hoping the side can enjoy a long and successful run in the tournament:

“This gives us a chance to focus on something else, we’re away from the pressure of the league, and this is a cup competition we want to do well in. A couple of seasons ago we got to that semi against Queen of the South, we deserved to win that night, and we had a strong team back then; we would have fancied our chances in the Final. The aim has to be to go that one step further.”

“It’s a competition I’ve enjoyed personally, I’ve scored a few goals in it down the years, and we’ve had some pretty impressive results along the way. The deeper you go into it, you get the chance to play some of the Championship teams as well, and we’re owe them from last year, so that’s something we would relish.

“I think back to some of the teams we’ve beaten, there was even a trip down to Wales, although I’m not sure I would want a repeat of that! But it does offer us a chance to make more history for our club and we are all desperate to do well in this tournament.

“We are not getting ahead of ourselves though; we have to be fully focused on this ninety minutes. If we get through, then we can start looking further ahead, but for now all our attention is on trying to beat Montrose.”

Will Gillingham is free from suspension and returns to the squad, and having been out since early April, Blair Yule is also expected to be in the plans. Fraser Fyvie is not quite ready for his comeback, and the manager will also be without long-term absentees Luke Strachan and Josh Kerr, who had an ankle operation this week and will be out for three to four months.

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