Highland League showdown can inspire Blue Toon

Peterhead’s players will prepare for their “winner takes all” Second Division play-off meeting with East Fife at Balmoor tomorrow by watching the “winner takes all” Highland League title decider between Formartine and Cove Rangers at North Lodge Park.

Blue Toon manager Jim McInally said: “We will have a light training session in the morning and then go and watch that one. The boys from the west are coming up for it and they will stay overnight so it is a great opportunity for everyone to bond before our game.”

“The Highland League decider is a cup final type game and I am sure the players will see things that will happen in our cup final type game on Sunday”

Ryan Strachan remains out of the tie which is level at 0-0, through suspension with everyone else available to McInally. East Fife boss Billy Brown will bring the curtain down on a unique 12-month period in his career by trying to keep the New Bayview side in the Second Division. He said: “A year ago I was with Hibs in the Scottish Cup final and now I am in a cup final of a very different kind. It has been a strange year but it would be good to finish it off on a high.”

Defender Darren McCormack remains out with an ankle injury and striker Gareth Wardlaw is out with a knee injury sustained on Wednesday.