Peterhead have kept three clean sheets in their past four games but manager Jim McInally accepts his side’s resilience is set to be tested to the limit today when it travels to Livingston.
The League 1 leaders have netted 31 times in their opening 12 matches – more than any other team in the division – ahead of today’s match against the Blue Toon at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
Livi came from behind to win 2-1 at Balmoor last month but McInally is confident his side can match the title favourites.
He said: “We have defended well this season, especially in open play.
“When we have had a problem, it has either been at set-plays or mistakes from individuals.
“But this weekend we know we are facing a team with some very good forward players and they tend to send a lot of long throws into the penalty area as well. If we can deal with those threats then we will have a chance of winning the game.
“Livingston are a full-time side with good players such as Raffaele De Vita, who has come in from Ross County. They are top of the league for a reason but we felt we were unlucky to lose when we last played them, so we will go there looking to win.”
McInally says he will give top scorer Rory McAllister every chance to be available for today’s match.
The 29-year-old, who has scored 12 goals in 19 games this season, missed last week’s stalemate against Queen’s Park at Hampden with a back complaint.
The Peterhead manager added: “Rory McAllister is feeling a lot better. His back is still feeling stiff, so we will let the physio have a look at him before the game and make a decision on him then. We are missing Simon Ferry through suspension, Kevin Dzierzawski has been ill and Scott Ross came off injured last week.”
McInally is keen to bring a new player to the club after midfielder Stefan McCluskey’s shock exit from Balmoor last week.
The former Morton player was not enjoying commuting from his home in Hamilton.
The Peterhead manager added: “It has left us short and I have already started having a look to see what is available.”
