Scottish Football League playoffs preview

First Division Play-off final, first leg

Dumbarton v Airdrie United

Dumbarton are looking to repeat the home success they had over Arbroath at the semi-final stage.

Alan Adamson’s side won 2-1 last Wednesday before seeing out a goalless draw at Gayfield, with Adamson saying: “We defended really well at their place but we got the goals to see us through in our home leg and that is what we need to do again.”

Paul Nugent is available for Dumbarton after a ban, but Ryan Finnie and Mark Lamont continue to be ruled out.

Airdrie United manager Jimmy Boyle is determined to stick to his attacking style. He said: “We will go there and give it a go as that is the only way we know. We have attacked teams all season and been successful, particularly in the second half of our campaign, so I will not be changing things.”

Defensive duo Paul Lovering and Cameron MacDonald are doubts with Boyle already ruling out the injured Graeme Owens and Phil Johnston.

Second Division Play-off final, first leg

Stranraer v Albion Rovers

Stranraer boss Keith Knox saw his side cruise past Queen’s Park in the semi-final thanks to a 3-1 home first-leg win and Knox would love a repeat of that.

Knox said: “We played really well and we should have won by more in the first game but the two-goal lead gave us a great platform. Taking a similar lead to a difficult venue for the second leg would be a great outcome.”

Midfielder Ryan Borris has been ruled out with a hamstring injury but Sean Winter has shaken off an ankle knock.

Albion Rovers manager Paul Martin is hoping that his players can show their toughness again after seeing off Elgin 2-1 at the weekend.

Martin said: “We were really struggling for numbers for both legs but the players put on two big performances. They had to put up with criticism about them, our style of play and our club from Elgin before the first leg, during the games and afterwards but they handled it magnificently.”

Rovers have Todd Lumsden and midfielder Ryan McStay available after suspension and Danny Ferry is over his hamstring problem but Michael O’Byrne is banned.