Cooper relieved Peterhead can call on County pair

Published on Wednesday 13 May 2009 22:59

PETERHEAD manager Neale Cooper is pleased in some ways that his side are facing Airdrie United and not Ross County in tonight's play-offs, as his thin squad would have been reduced even further, as two of the mainstays of Peterhead's season would have dropped out.

Cooper explained: "We only operate with a squad of 18 players and Andy Bagshaw and Dean Cowie have been injured for some time. Craig Gunn and Daniel Moore are on loan from County and they would have been unavailable to face them."

Airdrie United manager Kenny Black is looking to put two consecutive seasons of play-off pain behind him. "We have had two really negative experiences of the play-offs over the past couple of years and want to avoid that again," he said.

"Two years ago we were 2-0 up on Stirling and lost two late goals in the first leg and then lost the return 3-2. Last year we simply never played against Clyde."

Black played a shadow side in the 4-0 defeat against St Johnstone in their re-arranged league game on Monday night, explaining: "I wanted everyone 100 per cent right for the play-offs so no-one was risked in that game.

"Last year we lost a defender on the eve of the second game with Clyde and two defenders in the first 20 minutes so I am not taking any chances this time."

Black has a full squad to choose from tonight.