McInally demands hard graft from Peterhead

Manager Jim McInally believes Peterhead will become more clinical – as long as his players put in the graft.

The Blue Toon face League 1’s bottom side Stranraer at Stair Park tomorrow.

The Buchan outfit are seventh in the table but sit just two points above the relegation play-off place.

On Tuesday, McInally’s men led Forfar – who are in the play-off spot – but failed to find the killer second goal and were eventually pegged back to draw 1-1.

The Balmoor boss believes if his side keep working hard they will take their chances in the weeks ahead and used the example of skipper Scott Brown and Jack Leitch as two players who are putting in the hard yards.

He said: “Once we went one up, we got in some terrific positions to score more. But we didn’t get the second goal and we couldn’t see it out.

“As long as the boys are still working hard – which they are – then I can’t ask any more.

“I said to Scott Brown that I don’t think he’s been at his usual level in recent weeks.

“Against Forfar in the first half, I thought he was trying to play some ridiculous passes to get himself going.

“But I just said to him keep grafting away and, when you get the ball, do what you do best, which is driving at the opposition and that was what he did in the second half.

“Jack Leitch is the same. He’s been working hard, but the end product isn’t there at the moment.

“His decision-making hasn’t been as good as it has been but, if they keep being positive, they will turn that corner and, when they turn the corner, they’ll be big assets to us again.”

Tomorrow’s fixture is another pressure test for Peterhead, but McInally wants his players to embrace the challenge of trying to steer clear of danger.

A win would move the Blue Toon 13 points clear of Stranraer and McInally added: “Stranraer have only lost once this year, but they still haven’t won either (five draws).

“They need winning games.

“But I’ve said to the players that they can’t see this game as a bind.

“They need to go and relish the challenge and enjoy what we’re involved in.” to start

Challenge: Jim McInally