Kyle Benedictus knows Raith Rovers must rewrite the history books against Forfar if they are to move a step closer to promotion back to the Championship.
The Kirkcaldy side are bidding to reach a play-off final for the first time in six attempts.
The Stark’s Park men take a slender 2-1 advantage to Angus after Tuesday night’s hard-fought victory in their semi-final first-leg.
It was just the second time Rovers have won a match in the play-offs, but the last time they did so they still lost the tie after their 1-0 victory was wiped out in the second leg by Hibs in 2016.
But, after relegation in the play-offs against Brechin City two years ago and defeat to Alloa Athletic last year, plus previous defeats to Stirling Albion and Airdrie, skipper Benedictus believes Rovers are up for the challenge of this year’s promotion shoot-out.
The former Dundee defender said: “I think we’re a lot more mentally prepared for the play-offs this year.
“I was told that Tuesday was only the second win in the play-offs for Raith, so our success rate hasn’t been great.
“So, it’s about us going and putting it right.
“We know it’s only half-time in the game but obviously it’s important to get a lead and that’s what we’ve got.
“We didn’t play our best football but we came away with a 2-1 win, and at this time in the season a win’s a win. I would accept four games like that to get us promoted.
WANT IT
“I know for the club what it means. I know for the fans, the board, they want it.
“But I can speak on behalf of my players and the management, we want it just as badly.”
Raith have lost twice to Forfar in the league at Station Park this season, going down 3-2 in October and 2-1 in March.
Tuesday night’s encounter did nothing to dispel the notion that Saturday afternoon’s decider will be another closely-run affair.
However, Benedictus insists playing for the draw that would see Rovers through will not be in the visitors’ thoughts as they attempt to set up a final shot at promotion against either Queen of the South or Montrose.
He added: “We’ll go up there with our goal advantage, but not to defend.
“We’ll go and take the game to them and hopefully come away with the result we need, and then go on to the next game.”
