Russell critical of play-offs

Kilby skipper Barry Russell has criticised the pyramid play-offs insisting the team who wins the Highland/Lowland clash should be promoted without having to face the team who have finished bottom in League Two.

The pyramid play-offs favour the team who finish bottom of LeagueTwo as they go straight into the final and are handed a home tie for the decisive second leg.

In contrast the Lowland or Highland League champions must play two extra games if they want to win promotion. AndRussellsaid:“Ithinkit’sabadsetup. “I think it needs to change - and I’m not just saying that because we’ve lost. I think all the teams in our league feel the same. It’s no good beating Buckie and then having to play another two games against Cowdenbeath.

“There’s not really a big incentive knowing that after you’ve won the league you need to play another four games to get promoted. “Hopefully it changes in the future.” The pyramid play-offs have been in place for three seasons and Edinburgh City failed at the first attempt to get up, losing to Brora in the 2014/15 semifinal. Brora then lost the final 3-2 on aggregate to Montrose.

City enjoyed success at the second time of asking last term, beating Cove Rangers in the semi-final before a win over East Stirling won them promotion to LeagueTwo.This season they secured their SPFL status, finishing seventh.