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We take on Edinburgh City at the weekend, the third meeting of the campaign with the capital outfit, the previous two having produced goals aplenty.

The first encounter ended 2-2, Cove emerging with a point thanks to a late own goal, a result which contributed to our ten-match unbeaten league run in the later part of last year.

The return at Balmoral Stadium turned into a rout, the 7-2 success notable as the boys became the first side across the SPFL to have netted seven goals in a single game this season, a feat matched only by Celtic in midweek.

Following that victory just before Christmas, the form dipped, and the team only got back to winning ways last Saturday against Annan, a much needed lift for everyone at the club, according to manager Paul Hartley:

“It was really important to get the win last weekend, at this stage of the season it’s all about picking up the three points. That was the pleasing aspect, we kept going right to the end. We know the overall performance could have been better, the general play, the passing, but getting the victory was the key thing.

“It was always going to be a hard game, Annan had won at Hamilton and pushed Alloa all the way, and we had been on a difficult run. I wasn’t surprised it was a bit nervy, but we have to hope that getting the job done will help to settle everyone down a bit for the run-in.”

All football fans will be well aware that the game can hinge on little moments, that momentum can swing very quickly and easily, and Paul hopes that late Josh Kerr goal might prove to be one such incidence:

“Very much so, and it’s worth remembering Bal made a great save before then; little things like that can make all the difference.

“We had been in great form, winning week in, week out, before Christmas and that’s the type of run we need to begin again. You need a starting point, and the Annan game could have been that for us.

“At this stage of the season you’re going to see the contenders start to drop off, the gap becomes just a bit big for them to bridge, and we have to make sure we remain in contention. We still have Falkirk and Edinburgh City to play twice, and all the others once each; the aim will be to pick up as many wins as we can and try to secure that top four finish.

“Falkirk have run away with it, they’ve been the best team in the league so far, but the pressure is on all the other sides, not just us. It will be about who handles that best, who finds that consistency. You have to be on it every single week.”

Edinburgh City have had a troubled campaign and seem doomed to relegation, and given their financial woes, it will be a very different team we are up against on Saturday compared to the side we met in the capital earlier in the season:

“I’ve been doing my homework, the analysis. They’re quite a young team, pass it well, have a lot of energy and speed in the side, and to be fair, they have nothing to lose now, and they will play with a freedom, which can be dangerous.

“We need that too, it’s something we always encourage, and our mentality is going to have to be good. If we get that right, take the game to them, then I am confident we have the quality to get what would be a very important three points.”

A late decision will be made on Nick Suman’s availability, the big keeper having missed the last two matches through injury; that apart, the manager should have a full squad to choose from.

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