Aitken looking for boost of scoring first

Dumbarton manager Stephen Aitken is not entertaining any thoughts of his side already having one foot in the play-off final after Wednesday night’s 2-1 win at Arbroath.

Aitken, who is taking nothing for granted, said: “We cannot be complacent as Arbroath are a side that know their way to goal. We will look to grab the first goal and see how that influences the game.

“If we get it, their spirit may drop, whereas if they get it they will get a lift and push us hard.”

Arbroath boss Dick Campbell reckons his side maintain a lot of hope that they can progress to a final against either Raith Rovers or Alloa.

He said: “We had a real sense of disappointment after losing the first leg but we have a strong desire to turn it around and a belief that we can. Dumbarton are in the driving seat but there is not much between the teams.”

Raith Rovers have taken two heavy blows in the past week, but manager Barry Smith reckons they can climb off the canvas and reach the play-off final despite being 2-0 down to Alloa.

The Kirkcaldy side failed to win League 1 last weekend when the Wasps held them to a goalless draw and that allowed Ayr to lift the crown, then Wednesday’s defeat pushed the Kirkcaldy side towards another season in the third tier.

Smith said: “It has been a tough week but it is only half-time. We are a side that have been strong at home all seasonandscoregoalssowe are not out of things.”

Alloa manager Jim Goodwin is not looking too far ahead. He said: “Raith will respond to the midweek scoreline and I recognise that two-nil is a precarious lead. The next goal is huge.”