BARRY SMITH has urged Raith Rovers to ensure there is no final-day drama in League One as they seek the victory they know will crown them champions.
The Kirkcaldy club have swapped top spot in the table with Ayr United on a number of occasions in a rollercoaster campaign, but looked to have no chance of the title just three weeks ago when they slipped five points adrift with just three games remaining.
However, back-to-back defeats for Ayr mean that a win at home to Alloa Athletic on Saturday will be enough to earn Rovers promotion back to the Championship.
The heartache of relegation 12 months ago in a play-off final penalty shoot-out against Brechin City heralded the appointment of Smith and he believes everyone at Stark’s Park is determined to be celebrating success this time around.
He said: “When you’re a player, this is what you’re involved in the game for – at this stage of the season, having something to play for.
“We’ve always had belief in the squad and we knew going into the last three games we had to win all three to have a chance.
“We’ve won two out of the three and given ourselves the opportunity to win the third.
END GOAL
“We all realise the end goal, but when it comes down to it we need to win the game for anything to happen.
“At the start of the season the focus was on getting promoted and Saturday gives us that opportunity. But it’s only an opportunity if you take it.
“The feeling in the dressing room is there’s a strong belief, and they’ve worked hard throughout the season to get that chance.
“Come Saturday, we just hope to give a good account of ourselves and get that win.”
