League 1 has become the most competitive division in Scottish football but Peterhead manager Jim McInally is relishing the competition.
Four points separate leaders Raith Rovers and second-placed Falkirk while three clubs are separated by four points in the race for the play-offs.
The Blue Toon find themselves in the five-way race to avoid the drop in the bottom half of the table.
Stranraer are deep in the mire and look like occupying the automatic relegation spot as they are seven points adrift. But, with seven points between the four clubs above them, the race to avoid the play-off spot of ninth place is wide open.
McInally, whose club is seventh in the division, said: “It may sound daft but I’m really enjoying it. We’re in the bottom five and it’s so tight in there it feels as if we all change places from one week to the next.
“Our aim is to win the mini-league of five that we are in and it’s going to be a really exciting finish to the season.”
The Blue Toon travel to New Bayview today hoping to record their first win in three attempts this season against East Fife.
McInally’s men drew 1-1 in the first meeting of the teams in August with Darren Young’s side taking all three points in a 2-1 win at Balmoor Stadium in December.
The Blue Toon boss, however, believes his side can take confidence from their most recent display against the Fifers.
He said: “In the first game we were really fortunate to take a point as East Fife murdered us on the day. If you look our away record we don’t have any other draws as we either win or lose and we were really lucky to come away with a point down there last time.
“At Balmoor in December the roles were reversed and we dominated them. We played really well and didn’t deserve to come away with nothing but we were hit with a late sucker-punch as they won.
“It was a sore one but I’ve said to the players they should feel better about themselves as they showed they have closed the gap on East Fife. They are a good side and are trying to keep their place in the top four but if we play as we’re capable of then we can get a result there.”
Blue Toon striker Ben Armour is in contention for a return earlier than expected after returning to training this week.
The former Morton forward was expected to miss eight weeks after suffering a hamstring injury against Dumbarton last month but McInally, who will be without Jamie Stevenson, is hopeful Armour could play.
He said: “Ben was due to be out for up to eight weeks but he took part in some training on Tuesday night which was great news.
“We will monitor him to see what reaction there is and if there is none he will come into my thoughts for the weekend.”
