Football in brief

JUNIOR FOOTBALL: The curtain falls on the season tomorrow when the fifth and final promotion place out of the McBookie.com Championship will be determined.

Either Buchanhaven Hearts or Forres Thistle will join champions Sunnybank, Rothie Rovers, Fraserburgh United and Newmachar United in next season’s expanded 16-team Premier League.

Hearts travel to Elginshire Cup winners Banks o’ Dee JFC knowing that anything less than a victory will see the Jags, who finished their campaign with a point advantage and a superior goaldifference to Buchanhaven, finish fifth and it is sure to be a nervy afternoon at Spain Park.

Rothie Rovers, who moved into the runners-up spot in midweek, entertain Cruden Bay and Fraserburgh United host Lossiemouth United with all three matches kicking off at 2pm.

CHAMPIONSHIP: Partick Thistle defender Kevin Holt admits they were dreading the playoffs last year after losing their form but this time is a complete turnaround.

The Jags defend a 3-0 lead in the cinch Premiership playoff semi-finals when they face Ayr at Somerset Park today.

Thistle have only lost once in 16 games since Kris Doolan took charge and are firm favourites to take on either Ross County or Kilmarnock for a place in the top flight.

Holt said: “The boys can’t wait for the next game to come around to be honest. They are all big games, the boys are relishing it and that’s how you want it to be.

“This time last year we were kind of dreading going into the playoffs in a way with the form we were in.

“This year is a complete transformation. The boys are flying and getting stronger and stronger.”