Elgin City manager Jim Weir is determined not to lose further grip on a play-off position in today’s penultimate game of the League 2 season at Arbroath.
City slipped out of the top four after last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Stirling Albion, in which the Moray outfit came back from two goals down to salvage a point.
Something has to give in today’s Galabank encounter between third-placed Annan Athletic and Montrose, in fourth, which allows Elgin to reclaim their play-off position with a victory against the Red Lichties.
Weir knows his side is running out of time but a slump in form has seen it fail to win any of the last 10 games. He said: “We’ve had it in our own hands for a long time but we haven’t managed to get the points to keep that gap.
“We’re not going into this game on the best run of form and we’re up against a side that has made great strides this season and is up there chasing for the title.
“We need to be strong enough mentally to know we’ve got to get this result to keep it in our own hands going into the last day. Annan playing Montrose gives us an opportunity if we can do the business.”
Arbroath have enjoyed an excellent campaign and are still in title contention, with only a point separating them from leaders Forfar Athletic.
Weir remains upbeat despite his side’s poor form, and he added: “We’ve not won in 10 games but there have only been two or three really disappointing performances in there.
“There have not been many games I could really say we’ve been beaten by the better side.
“I always feel we are in a game but it’s important we keep ourselves in it. We’ve also missed a lot of opportunities when we’ve been on top in games and it can take a lot out of the players when the other team scores against the run of play.”
City defender Keiran Stewart is doubtful with a groin problem and could join leading scorer Shane Sutherland, who is out with a long-term cruciate ligament injury, on the sidelines.
