Peterhead manager Jim McInally says it is imperative his side turns Balmoor into a fortress if they are to clinch promotion from League 2.
McInally’s team won only four league games on their own pitch last season on their way to relegation through the end of season play-offs.
But, with top flight Hearts already suffering defeat at Balmoor this season in the Betfred Cup, McInally is confident of an improved home record this term ahead of today’s visit of Elgin City.
McInally, whose side started the league campaign with a 2-1 victory at Annan last Saturday, said: “We know we won’t be successful if we don’t perform well at home.
“We stressed that to the players right at the start of the season, although we weren’t expecting to come through the Hearts game with a win.
“We have had a good start at home by beating East Fife and Hearts and we want that to continue.
“Hopefully we can build on the result at Annan.
“The performance could have been better but the attitude from the players was spot on.
“We were possibly fortunate to win the game but it was pleasing to come away from a win on a surface that is not particularly good.
“We played Elgin City recently in the Betfred Cup so we know what they are all about.
“That is helpful because we are playing catch-up with these teams as we try to learn as much about the new teams we will be facing this season.
“That is a problem we don’t have this weekend as we played Elgin only a fortnight ago.”
McInally has completed his transfer activity for the season after French left back Mikael Ngango Dikobo completed his move to the Blue Toon from Slovakian side Lokomotiva Zvolen.
The Peterhead manager said: “That’s us definitely finished now and I’m very happy with the squad.”
Rory McAllister returns from suspension for today’s match against Elgin but midfielder Jordon Brown is likely to miss out with an ankle injury.
