Albion Rovers boss Sandy Clark was left stunned after his side lost to East Fife to see their League Two survival battle go to the last day of the season.
Clark saw his side sink to a 2-1 defeat away to East Fife yesterday, despite taking the lead in the game through Euan Mutale, who scored his first goal for the club since joining on loan from Dundee.
Rock bottom Rovers will now go into their final league fixture next Saturday with their destiny out of their own hands, as they look for a win against champions Stirling Albion at Cliftonhill, whilst also looking for a favour from Elgin City against Bonnyrigg Rose after the Borough Briggs side picked up a last-minute winner on Saturday versus Dumbarton.
Having taken the lead at Bayview, two sensational strikes from East Fife’s Jack Healy and Alexander Ferguson gave the home side the three points and left Rovers three points adrift of Rose, who do have an inferior goal difference.
And that left left Clark shell-shocked after his side created a host of chances in both halves.
He said: “Over the piece, we had incredibly good chances, we could easily have been three up. The reality is we were one up which is always precarious, but we always looked a goal threat.
“Even in the second half we had lots of chances, but we've lost the game to two absolutely brilliant goals from East Fife, bits of individual quality and I don't think [goalkeeper] Jack Leighfield had any other saves to make in the game that were worthwhile. He had a couple of shots straight at him, nothing more.
“I can't believe we've lost it if I'm being honest with you.
“It's horrible, it's a cruel game, football and it's a great game. I've seen both sides of it over a lot of years. The downside is the situation now is not in our hands.”
Clark has admitted that he will be looking at the play-off results and be ready for whatever team comes through that game should they need to budget for an extra two games.
In the pyramid play-off first leg, Spartans managed to hold onto a 1-0 win vs Brechin City despite being down to 10 men and now travel to Glebe Park with an important advantage, as both teams look to make it through to face off with either Rovers or Rose.
Clark added: “We have to seriously look at playoffs, which will be a challenge when it comes along that we have to be ready for.
"Win next week and see what happens to the teams above us.
“Bonnyrigg now need a point at home in their last game and the way they've been fighting and scratching I think they probably will get that. Regardless of that, we have to go and try to beat Stirling Albion and hope the other one goes for us. Try to get a bit of momentum again potentially going into the playoffs
“You're obviously hoping that it's in your own hands. Having to beat Stirling Albion at home next week, the way we've been playing at home since I came to the club, you would hope we're capable of doing that.
“Now we need to hope for a favour off Elgin and in life, and in football, nobody does anybody a favour, you have to look after yourself and if it doesn't work for us next week, we can look after ourselves in the playoffs."
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