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With the team having secured the necessary point against Kelty Hearts at the weekend, we now know we will be taking part in the SPFL Championship Play Offs for just the second time since gaining promotion in 2019.

Our only previous foray came in 2021 when, after a 1-1 draw at Balmoral, we took the lead against Airdrieonians with Rory McAllister netting in the 90^th minute. Agonisingly, the home side levelled in stoppage time, and went on to win the game in the extra half hour.

Although the playoffs have been with us for more than a decade, there still seems to be a degree of confusion among some fans as to the format, so here is all you need to know.

The Championship playoffs are contested by the team finishing ninth in that division and those in second, third and fourth in League One. There are two semi-finals and a final, all two-legged, with the highest ranked in each tie given home advantage in the second game.

Airdrieonians are in there again and will play whichever side finishes in fourth place in our league, while second and third will go head-to-head. The current standings are as follows…

	P	W	D	L	GOALS FOR	GOALS AGAINST	POINTS	GOAL DIFF.
Cove Rangers	35	15	9	11	58	42	54	+16
Queen of the South	35	16	6	13	45	40	54	+5
Alloa Athletic	35	13	12	10	54	45	51	+9
Stenhousemuir	35	14	8	13	46	44	50	+2

Given our goal difference advantage, if we win at Annan on Saturday, that will secure the runners-up spot. There are other permutations, for instance, if we match Queen of the South’s result, and Alloa do not go goal crazy, that would also be enough, but victory at Galabank removes any uncertainty.

Should that happen, we will be away to whichever side finishes third on Tuesday, May 6^th with the home leg on Saturday, May 10^th. If we end up in that third place, the fixtures will be reversed.

The only way we can land up fourth is if we lose at Annan, Alloa Athletic beat Kelty, and there is a eight-goal swing.

There is a scenario where both Alloa and ourselves could finish on the same points and with identical goals for and against. Should that unfold, positions would be determined by the head-to-head record over the regular season, in which case we would come out on top with seven points to Alloa’s four.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY…

Championship Play Off Semi-Finals

First Leg – Tuesday, May 6^th (7.45pm KO)

Second Leg – Saturday, May 10th (3.00pm KO)

Championship Play Off Final               

First Leg – Wednesday, May 14^th (8.10pm KO)

Second Leg – Saturday, May 17^th (5.30pm KO)

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