Craigroyston boss ie Burrell reckons victory is vital for side's hopes

Craigroyston are currently in second place, one point behind leaders Stirling University, and four points ahead of Vale who, crucially, have five games in hand over their rivals.

Last weekend, after a six-week lay-off due to the weather, Craigroyston defeated Kelso United 2-0, a result which pleased Burrell.

He said: "Before the game, it was solely about picking up all three points and, in fairness, we played some really good football.

"Although we allowed Kelso to come more into the game early in the second half, I felt that our fitness was better and we ran out deserved winners.

"The players put in tremendous effort and showed a lot of character."

In October, the last time Craigroyston met tomorrow's visitors to St Mark's Park, Vale won by the only goal

"That was a really entertaining game and both teams played some fantastic football," said Burrell, who has a full squad to choose from tomorrow.

"After the game, our players were very disappointed not to have taken something. However, this is now the ideal opportunity to get revenge, although we appreciate that this will be a difficult task.

"The level of consistency shown by league leaders Stirling University and Vale has been magnificent. Vale have dropped only two points from one drawn game this season.

"Tomorrow gives us the opportunity to open up a seven-point gap and, in all honesty, we must achieve that to put us in a good position."

Craigroyston have scored 41 goals in their 15 fixtures, conceding only 12, and Burrell added: "Our defensive record is something we are very proud of and the three games we lost to Stirling, Gretna 2008 and Vale were all by a solitary goal.

"We have probably not got the points I think we deserved against the top three.

"We have played well against them but did not pick up any points. Tomorrow we will set our team up with a good shape, which will make us difficult to beat and we have several players with excellent goalscoring records. David Anderson has eight goals as has Stevie Manson while Stuart Martin can also score.

"We owe a lot to our goalkeeper, Craig Weir, who is having a fantastic season and we have made huge strides forward in how we defend. Although we lost Sean Martin to Bonnyrigg Rose, we have confidence in the players we have.

"I will be stressing to our players that I do not want them to come off the park tomorrow with any regrets. The players must give their maximum because Vale have several threats, especially Aaron Somerville and Andy Martin who are very creative and dangerous."

Vale beat Gala Fairydean 4-0 in the King Cup last weekend and boss Rab Paget said: "We were poor and did not perform anywhere near what we had been doing prior to the long break.

"We were very rusty, although we were much stronger and fitter because we had trained exceptionally hard. It was good to get that cup game out of the way before we return to league action where our record in ten games is nine wins and one draw.

"We know that we have to play catch-up on all the teams around us although there are probably only four or five teams left in the promotion race. If Craigroyston were to beat us they would be very much back in the race while if we beat them that would probably end their challenge.

"Craigroyston gave us a hard game at Innerleithen when there was nothing between the sides but we scored the vital goal through Greg Shortreed. We have got to match Craigroyston's enthusiasm and fitness levels and take a grip of the game. Craigroyston move the ball quickly so we have to impose ourselves and be totally switched on or they will beat us.

"There is hardly anything between us and it just depends on which side performs on the day.

"I anticipate a tight game with only one goal in it and I feel that if we play like I know we can then we can come away with all three points."

• THE game kicks-off at 2.00pm and admission is 4 for adults and 2 for concessions.