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We return to the scene of one of the club’s most painful defeats since joining the SPFL on Saturday evening, for the second leg of the Championship playoff final against Airdrieonians.

Back in 2021, after a 1-1 draw at Balmoral, Rory McAllister scored in the second minute of stoppage time, giving Cove Rangers the aggregate lead in our semi-final clash. The game appeared over, but Jack McKay netted in their final attack to equalise, and with our players running on empty, Airdrieonians won it in extra-time.

They go into this latest encounter as favourites, having secured a narrow 2-1 advantage in Wednesday night’s encounter, but it was an even contest, and Paul Hartley believes nothing has yet been settled:

“I was disappointed to lose that game, but I still feel we’re very much in the tie. I’d said to the players beforehand that I wanted us still to be in the contest for Saturday night, that we faced two cup finals, and despite losing it, no-one should count us out yet.

“We will have to defend better, both goals should have been prevented, but apart from that I thought we played very well, we created chances and caused Airdrie problems, and that’s why I still believe it’s there for us to win through.”

Captain Fraser Fyvie says that is a belief shared by the dressing room:

“They’re a good side, of course they are, but so are we, and I think we proved that in the first game. We have that mix of youth and experience, we play football, and we believe in each other.”

“This is where the season ends, and we have to be confident we can go to Airdrie, overturn the deficit, and claim that place in the Championship. That was our target right from the start and it’s still there for us if we play the way we can.”

Paul has had faith in the squad throughout the campaign; he says promotion would be a just reward for everything the players have given him:

“They have been excellent, they really have. I could not have asked more from them, and at times they have had to dig deep and play out of position because of the amount of injuries we had.

“The boys have stepped up time after time, they finished second, secured the playoffs and reached the final. I just need them to give their all one more time and we’ll see where that takes us.

“We’ll go attack the game, it’s only half-time, we’re 2-1 down, it’s all to play for!”

The manager does expect to be in the dugout on Saturday despite being shown what he felt was an unjust red card after the final whistle on Wednesday night. The club is waiting for further news from the Scottish FA and will release more information on that when we are in a position to do so.

Adam Emslie missed the first leg through injury, but is expected to be fit for the return, and despite a few others carrying knocks, Paul hopes to have a full squad to choose from.

Fans heading down to support the team can get their tickets HERE

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