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Cove Rangers’ experience of playoff football has been a mixed bag, a combination of controversy, heartbreak and elation across our previous campaigns.

The first three were all in the ‘pyramid’ structure, organised by the Scottish FA, the pathway to joining the SPFL proper, and it was not until our third attempt that the club finally attained that status.

Our debut came in 2015-16 when, as Highland League champions, we took on our Lowland League opponents, Edinburgh City. It was to be a painful venture with our visitors winning the first leg 3-0 at our temporary home, Harlaw Park in Inverurie. Edinburgh increased their advantage in the return at Meadowbank Stadium, Jamie Watt’s late header nothing more than a consolation, and they would go on to claim a place in the SPFL at the expense of East Stirlingshire.

We lost the 2016-17 Highland League title on goal difference to Buckie Thistle but regained it comfortably the following year to set up a semi-final against Spartans. Having cruised to a 4-0 first leg win – Eric Watson, Mitch Megginson and Paul McManus with a double – the 2-1 loss in the capital was enough to see us clinch a final showdown with Cowdenbeath.

After a goalless draw in Inverurie, the second leg at Central Park would be one of the most infamous games the club has played.

Harvey Swann put the Fifers in front, but Mitch Megginson levelled, then put us in front with his 52^nd goal of the season. Swann equalised for the home side, and they went 3-2 ahead in the 70^th minute when Brad Smith scored from distance, but the goal should never have stood, Stuart McKenzie having been tripped by Jordyn Sheerin and unable to get back to guard his net.

Mayhem erupted, and Cove ended the game with just eight men as a result of the protests which followed, McManus, Watson and Scott Ross all red-carded.

The squad were determined to make amends the following year, and after beating Brora Rangers to the title, they did just that.

Harry Milne and Scott Ross netted at K-Park in the semi-final against East Kilbride, Mitch with two and Jamie Masson the other in the 3-0 second leg success which set up a showdown with Berwick Rangers for that long-awaited place in the SPFL. It was to be a no-contest!

The 4-0 win at Balmoral Stadium saw Sam Burnett, Mitch and Jamie on the scoresheet along with an own goal and meant there were few concerns ahead of the long trip south for the return. Masson, Jordon Brown and Paul McManus eased John Sheran’s side to 3-0 success to fulfil the dream.

Having clinched League Two in what was a truncated campaign because of the pandemic, we finished third in the shortened 2020-21 season to set-up our first tilt at the SPFL playoffs, our opponents then, as now, Airdrieonians.

The first leg at Balmoral finished all square, Leighton McIntosh cancelling out a Ross Graham OG, and Mitch put us in front early in the second before limping off. Calum Gallagher levelled, and the tie was heading for extra-time when Rory McAllister scored in the 92^nd minute. That should have been it, but we lost possession, and Airdrie grabbed another equaliser with the last kick of the ball.

By then the team were running on empty, a number of players walking wounded, and Gallagher snatched the winner in the extra period to break Cove hearts and send the hosts through.

Until last week, that had been our only experience of the playoffs, the win over Queen of the South setting up a rematch with a place in next season’s Championship up for grabs for both sides.

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