Peterhead manager Jim McInally has challenged Leighton McIntosh to seize his chance against Brechin City at Balmoor today.
The Blue Toon’s top goalscorer Rory McAllister will miss today’s meeting with the Hedgemen after being sent off during the first half of last Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at bottom-of-the-league Stenhousemuir.
But McInally feels McIntosh, who has started only five games this season, and former Forfar forward Allan Smith are both capable of filling the void.
He said: “Leighton came on at half-time last week and played really well.
“We lost Rory through illness after about 30 minutes against Alloa in January and Leighton came on and scored the winner that day. This is an opportunity for him.
“Allan Smith has also been biding his time. He was very sharp at training this week.
“This will be a chance for them to show what they can do.”
The Balmoor men are only two points above Stenhousemuir having played one game more and McInally knows his players need wins to rid the threat of demotion to League 2.
But, to do that, the Peterhead manager admits his players must eradicate the mistakes that have been so costly this term.
McInally said: “We started last week’s game against Stenhousemuir so well and then got a kick in the teeth by losing a goal.
“It was a disappointing goal to concede as Graeme Smith felt he should have saved it.
“We lost a goal quickly after that from a corner which has been our nemesis this season. Everything was OK in our general play but it becomes tough when you are chasing the game.
“Rory was sent off but the boys deserved credit as they worked very hard.
“We pulled a goal back through Jordon Brown and were pushing for an equaliser when we got caught by a sucker-punch when another individual error cost us a goal.
“I can’t criticise the players as they stuck at it and it is never easy with 10 men.
“It was nothing to do with attitude, we just need to cut out the mistakes.”
Captain Simon Ferry will miss today’s game with a back injury. The former Swindon player will see a specialist about the persistent problem next week.