The Scotsman

Tense tie holds no surprises for Macpherson

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Queen’s Park head coach Gus Macpherson believes it will be a tense afternoon when Stenhousem­uir visit Hampden, as there is so little to choose between the teams.

With their play-off semi-final tied at 1-1 after Tuesday night’s first meeting, Macpherson said: “We have sized each other up and there is unlikely to be any surprises left. We are well matched and it will come down to what happens on the day.”

Stenhousem­uir, who defeated the Spiders in the play-offs in 2009 and 2015, have mixed emotions. Manager Brown Ferguson said: “The first leg performanc­e saw us end up disappoint­ed but with more confidence which seems an odd mix of feelings.

“We are disappoint­ed at not winning but have more confidence about going to the home of a team from a league above us and winning.”

Peterhead manager Jim Mcinally is delighted that the Blue Toon are going into the second leg of their semi-final one-nil up on visitors Stirling Albion as he believes there will be goals at Balmoor.

Mcinally said: “Stirling won 4-2 at our place earlier this season and we won the second game 4-3 so they know their way to goal at Balmoor.

“We create a lot of chances. However – and this is going to sound a bit harsh after scoring 104 times this season – we could actually be more ruthless.”

Stirling manager Dave Mackay wants his men to make the most of Peterhead not establishi­ng a handsome lead at Forthbank. He said: “It is a big positive that we are still in things as we could have been out of it after the first half. The second half was much better as we gave things a go.

“If we play like that for the 90 minutes we are in with a chance.”

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