Smith targeting maximum haul

The Fifers dropped three points out of the promotion play-off zone with Saturday’s defeat – but boss Barry Smith said there’s still time to rescue their place.

They had a great chance to get back on track after slipping out of the play-off places last week when second-bottom Peterhead visited Bayview. But, with Jim McInally’s men scrambling for points, there was a lot to play for.

Nine points remain up for grabs and Smith is targeting a maximum return to get back into the promotion hunt.

He said: “There are three games left and it’ll turn for us, we’re confident we can do that.

“There’s still a lot to play for and, as much we’re disapointed with the defeat, Saturday brings another game and another challenge.”

The defeat means East Fife have taken no points from the past two weekends when they faced the two clubs at the bottom.

The frustration is the side wasn’t able to capitalise on defeats for Brechin and Airdrie but they’ll aim to put that right when they travel to meet Albion Rovers on Saturday.

The Fifers fell behind when Jamie Redman fired the visitors into the lead on the 25 minute mark.

East Fife were soon level when Jason Kerr headed home a Nicki Paterson corner.

The home side looked to get their noses in front but lacked creativity and were made to pay when the Blue Toon scored what proved to be the winner when Craig Reid met a Jamie Stevenson corner to nod beyond Mark Hurst.

Smith added: “I don’t think any team could cope with the amount of injuries we have at the moment.

“Jonathan Page, Scott Robinson and Kyle Wilkie are all big players for us.