PAUL PATON insists that the mood within the Dumbarton camp remains high ahead of the first leg of his side’s League One play-off semi-final against Edinburgh City.
The Sons, who finished ninth in the third tier, travel to the capital tonight before hosting League Two's fourth-placed side at the Rock for the return leg on Saturday.
Former Dundee United midfielder Paton wants to see the fans turn out in their numbers to help the team retain their League One status.
“We are still positive,” he told Dumbarton’s website. “Obviously we understand we fell short this year in terms of where we wanted to be but we have a lot of ability in the squad.
“We’ve not quite lived up to that but we still have the chance to keep the club in League One and that’s what we’ll focus on for the next four games.
“Every team needs their supporters. They are tricky ties whoever we play.
“I understand it’s going to be really difficult but if we can take a big travelling support to the away games especially then hopefully we can take care of things at home.”
“We’re positive and we’re confident,” added 18-year-old midfielder Callum Wilson, echoing his team-mate’s sentiments. “We just need to keep our heads down.
“Hopefully we can keep us in League One because it’s important for everybody, especially the fans.
“They have stuck by us all season when they could have easily turned against us but they have been good.
“So we will try our hardest to do it for them.”
Elsewhere this evening, Annan Athletic host Forfar Athletic in the other League One play-off semi-final.
Only a point separated the two clubs in the final standings in League Two as Forfar finished narrowly ahead of Annan but both finished comfortably behind Kelty Hearts, who won the title by 21 points.
The second leg will be played at Station Park on Saturday afternoon.
