Young challenges side to repeat Diamond showing

East Fife manager Darren Young has challenged his players to rediscover their best form and show Stranraer what they are capable of after a Hampden horror show last weekend.

The Fifers headed to Queen’s Park on a high after a 6-1 demolition of Airdrie but lost 2-1 as they failed to recapture the form they displayed against the Diamonds.

“It was a really disappointing afternoon as our game management was poor. We started slowly. However, we got ourselves in front.

“But, rather than build on that, we gave away an equaliser straight away,” he said.

“That was disappointing and then, after changing things around at halftime, we went out and lost a goal that you would see in a school playground.

“We know how well we can play and we need to do better in terms of getting to a high standard of performance more consistently.

“We can be a side who are involved in the push for promotion, and we will be if we can hit the high standards we are capable of on a more regular basis.”

Young added: “It would be great to get back to playing at the level we are against Airdrie as that will get us the three points. That was a terrific performance and has to be the benchmark the players are measured against.

“A win could see us return into the top four but it would definitely move us four points clear of our opponents.”

Chris Kane and Kevin Smith are doubts, with Pat Slattery still out.

Picture: SNS. Kevin Smith is doubtful for today’s visit of Stranraer.