Peterhead goalkeeper Graeme Smith believes the Blue Toon can force their way back into the promotion hunt by the new year.
The Balmoor men, who take on leaders Livingston this afternoon, are sitting sixth in League 1, 12 points adrift of today’s opponents and eight behind Airdrie, who occupy the fourth and final play-off spot.
Three of Peterhead’s four games in December are at Balmoor and Smith feels it is a great chance to move up the table. He said: “There are four teams who are starting to creep away from the rest at the top of the table. Our main priority between now and Christmas is to try to catch that group.
“We have a lot of home games coming up and, although we haven’t set the heather on fire, we have been picking up some decent results. With the exception of the 3-1 defeat by Brechin City when the weather ruined the game, we have defended very well recently.
“If you don’t lose goals then you don’t lose games and we always feel capable of scoring at the other end. We want to get ourselves in a good position by the start of January and we feel we can do that.
“Given we were at the bottom of the league not so long ago, I think we have done well to turn things around.”
Jim Mc-Inally’s men are without suspended captain Simon Ferry for today’s match, while defender Scott Ross and forward Rory McAllister are injury doubts. Smith added: “It is a chance for the guys who have been frustrated this season to come in and show what they can do. You will always need to make full use of the squad as the season progresses.”
