Play-off pain still haunts Ian Little

BERWICK Rangers boss Ian Little hopes his side’s first-leg play-off match with visitors East Fife is far less painful than his one previous end-of-season scramble.

He explained: “The last time Berwick were in the play-offs was back in 2006 and we reached the final against Alloa. I snapped my knee half an hour into the first leg and we eventually lost 4-0 so it was a really painful day in lots of ways.”

“To make matters worse my wife and I went to New York five days later on holiday and I had to hobble about everywhere. I am hoping that this experience will be a lot better.”

He added: “We have done well to get here but we don’t want to stop now.

“Some people reckon we have an advantage as we have had a good end to the season and East Fife have not but I don’t see it that way. Albion Rovers stayed up last year by winning the play-offs so we are well warned. It is a new challenge for our players as they are playing a 180-minute contest as opposed to a 90-minute game and we have to bear that in mind as well.”

Striker Darren Lavery could be in line to start, while former Hibs midfielder Lee Currie is also available – with only long-term casualties Marc Lancaster and Dene Droudge out.

New Bayview boss Billy Brown has a full squad for his ­return to his former home.