The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Peterhead not weakened by talisman’s absence: Malone
Forfar midfielder Eddie Malone believes the absence of talisman striker Rory McAllister won’t weaken Peterhead in any way in tomorrow’s battle for a place in League 1.
The Loons take a 2-1 lead to Balmoor in the play-off final second leg thanks to a secondhalf comeback on Wednesday with goals from Martyn Fotheringham and Michael Travis.
But 26-goal McAllister, who fired Jim McInally’s side ahead at Station Park, will be absent from the game due to suspension.
“I don’t think his absence will make too much difference,” Malone told Loons TV. “They are a decent side with quality players itching to come in, like the former Dundee striker Leighton McIntosh, so we won’t read too much into that.
“You could see in the first half how good a side they were.
“They will have lots of options so we won’t be taking them for granted.
“We were disappointed to lose another goal from a setpiece and we have to start defending properly. We are a little too easy to score against just now, though we always look like scoring at the other end.
The former Dundee and Raith Rovers player was delighted with the way Gary Bollan’s team responded to the early setback.
He said: “We changed the shape a little in the second half and wanted to give a better account of ourselves and give both us and the fans a lift with a goal or two.”
Meanwhile, Malone praised Fotheringham’s stunning longrange equaliser – the veteran playmaker’s second goal of the play-off stages.
“He’s got great ability and technique and as soon as that ball leaves his right foot you know where it’s going. It’s just a shame he’ll never stop talking about it!” he said.
Meanwhile Peterhead defender Michael McMullin will be free to play tomorrow after it was confirmed the club has appealed against his controversial dismissal at Station Park
The 20-year-old was sent off by referee Stephen Finnie after receiving two yellow cards, with the second coming in contentious fashion when he was adjudged to have dived in the box.