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Daily Record
Sport
Paul Thomson

Albion Rovers boss hopes 'sell-out' crowd can cheer them to glory in Spartans play-off battle

Boss Sandy Clark hopes a crammed Cliftonhill can cheer his Albion Rovers side to SPFL survival on a sold-out Saturday.

The Wee Rovers have shifted all of the 1200 or so tickets available for their Pyramid Play-off Final second leg with Spartans, which is finely poised at 1-1 after last week's first tie at Ainslie Park.

And with the club's 120-year status in the senior ranks on the line against the Lowland League champions, Clark hopes that can help them finish the job and deny the Edinburgh side a place in League Two next term.

He said: "There's a lot of interest in the game but it is the fans that come and support us every week that matter to me.

"They come and see us week in, week out and they are the ones we want to do it for on Saturday, but it will be good to have a bigger crowd behind us.

"It will create a good atmosphere and hopefully that can kick us on to do the job.

"We know exactly what we've got to do on Saturday and we are prepared for it.

Albion Rovers' Cliftonhill Stadium (Lanarkshire Live Sport)

"We know how Spartans will play. They are a hard team to play against because of the style they use but there's no surprises now and we know what we are up against."

A Luke Graham strike put Rovers in front in the first leg before an Ayrton Sonkur own goal gave Spartans something to take into the do-or-die clash.

It could come down to extra-time and penalties, if required, but Clark believes his side - who have PFA League Two Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year nominee Charlie Reilly in their ranks - will have the quality to prevail.

He added: "I don't think there is a big difference at this level if you are home or away.

Rovers must win at home against ambitious Spartans on Saturday to secure their League Two status for next season (Graham Hamilton)

"You've got to play well on the day and the best team will win on the day. It is as simple as that.

"The most important thing for me is our players apply themselves and work as hard as they can - which they have done every game for me - then I will be happy with that and take our chances.

"If we play as well as we can do, then I'm confident we can go and get the right result."

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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