Neill makes defence against third play-off disappointment

LEAGUE ONE SEMIFINAL, 2ND LEG DUMBARTON V STRANRAER

BITTER experience has taught Morgyn Neill how crucial defence can be in the play-offs after he lost 8-6 on aggregate with Livingston against tonight’s opponents Stranraer.

But, after Saturday’s goalless first-leg against the Blues, the stopper is now desperate for Dumbarton to find the goals in attack that will keep their League One status alive into the final.

The 25-year-old is in the play-offs for the third time in his career and is eager to avoid an unwanted hat-trick following losses with Liviingston in 2016 and again with Stenhousemuir against Annan two years ago.

After those painful losses, he is brutally aware of what is at stake for the Sons as they seek to avoid dropping into League Two.

But he is convinced Jim Duffy’s side can rise to the challenge when it matters most against Stevie Farrell’s Stranraer, who restricted chances to a premium in the tense 0-0 first leg. But Neill is backing his own side’s defensive steel as they bid to reach the play-off final.

He said: “We’ve got to win the game, that’s the basic fact and

Stranraer well.

“Our stats show that, defensively, we’re a good team and I take pride in that because I’m a centre-half. If we can keep the back door shut we’ll give ourselves a good platform.

“We’ve just lacked goals this season, but our defensive record is the joint-third best in the league, so it’s bizarre we’ve ended up second-bottom.

“It’s not a nice place to be, in the play-offs, and it’s a hard position will know that as to be in, especially when you’re the team trying to stay in the league.

“It’s more of an incentive for the ones coming up, who are wanting to be where we are as a club. But we know what it takes to get the job done and we’re confident we can perform well enough to get the result.

“We’ve got to show why we’re in the league above. Our incentive is to prove why we’re in the division and why we shouldn’t be in the play-offs.”