Defender Angus Mailer is urging Elgin City to turn up the heat at home in order to freeze out their League Two rivals.
Fresh from a courageous performance, but a 4-1 extra-time defeat at Championship title-pushers Ayr United in the Scottish Cup last week, it’s back to league duties on Saturday.
The Black and Whites have been hot and cold since the turn of the year and slipped from third position to fifth ahead of the visit of Stranraer.
A win for the Blues would take them to within one point of Elgin, despite being on a poor run of six defeats in their last seven fixtures.
Moray club target top-four return
Elgin, who have taken four points from Stranraer this season, have won just four league matches at Borough Briggs this season and that needs to be addressed, insists Mailer.
He said: “We have to find consistency. Our home form has been poor this season.
“If we had picked up more points at home, we’d probably be sitting comfortably within a play-off position.
“There are 10 points between third and 10th place, so we just need to take each game as it comes and get consistency in our performances.
“We’re scoring goals, so if we can add clean sheets, we will be winning games, but it’s a really competitive league this season.
“Outwith the top two, it’s anyone’s game, so it’s all to play for.”
Early goal can set tone for Elgin City
Mailer was suspended for the 2-2 draw between the sides in August, but played in the 3-2 win at Stranraer in October and he reckons their opponents will pose a threat.
He said: “Stranraer have got a few creative and attacking players, who can score goals.
“They are a wee bit similar to us, in terms of being a bit inconsistent, so we’ve to try and be on the front foot early on.
“If we can get an early goal and get on top of them, hopefully we can get a much-needed three points.
“The first goal is always important, especially in these tight games. Sometimes, when we go a goal behind it can be difficult to get back into games, but when we go ahead we usually won’t lose.
“The start of the game is important and it would just be good for us to get a win in front of our home fans.
Elgin had best chances at Ayr United
And Mailer was gutted to see a 1-0 lead earned by Kane Hester’s goal at Ayr vanish with a last-gasp equaliser in the cup-tie at Somerset Park last weekend.
Elgin had plenty of chances to finish United off, but were blown away in extra-time, especially after a disputed spot-kick saw them fall 2-1 behind.
Mailer, who has 32 appearances to his name this term, says a repeat level of display should see them earn three points against Stranraer.
He added: “I felt throughout the 90 minutes at Ayr, we were the better side and created the best chances, some of which we should have taken.
“All 11 players and the subs were all eight or nine out of 10s, which is what we need.
“Ultimately, we’re out of the cup and we just have to take the positives from the performance and put that into Saturday’s performance. If we do, we should win the game.”
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