City take on a resurgent Raith Rover side at Glebe Park tomorrow afternoon and they look to make their position in the play-off’s a little more secure.

Brechin looked to have almost guaranteed a play-off spot a few weeks ago but a recent slump of no victories in three matches has brought sides such as Ayr United and Cowdenbeath back into the equation.

Having played the bottom two in the shape of Forfar Athletic and Stranraer in the last two weeks, City have come out with just a point to show for their efforts.

It may have been a fortnight to forget but spirits remain high in the dressing room and everyone involved at the club are hoping to put things right tomorrow afternoon.

One of the problems in the last few matches has been indiscipline, with 4 red cards being dished out to City players in the last 3 games, in addition to 3 dismissals for the opposition.

Supporters who have paid their way into the last 3 games have certainly got their money’s worse in terms of entertainment, with goals, red cards and penalty misses, but the results have been disappointing from a City perspective.

After a very poor start to the season under ex-managers Gordon Dalziel and Craig Levein, Raith have completely transformed under the reign of former Hearts coach John McGlynn.

Prior to Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against Stirling Albion at Starks, the Kirkaldy side had gone 7 games unbeaten, including the demolition of local rivals Cowdenbeath at Central Park.

City’s stuttering form has allowed Raith to rocket up behind them and the Fifers currently sit just one point behind Brechin in the table.

The matches between the two sides have been fairly even this season, with one win for each side and the other game ending in a draw.

City chairman David Birse is confident the side can return to winning ways, he said: “Our spirits are still good, which is very important. The players are not down at all. They believe in their own ability and so do we.

“Wins in a few more games and we’ll secure the points for the play-off’s and everybody will be happy.

“We certainly want to keep away from the fifth placed teams as much as possible and want to secure our berth without leaving it too late. But it’s in our own hands and I’m fairly convinced everything will be okay.”

Birse is also hoping for a good turn out for the game, both from the locals and the visiting fans. He said: “This Saturday promises to be a very tight one but we’re hoping to get a big crowd. If we don’t get one for this game we never will.

“Raith are travelling up from just down the road and are doing well so will bring a big vocal support. I just hope we do as well as it makes a big difference to our players.”

Talking on the recent poor discipline of the side, Birse added: “In recent weeks it looks like we’ve suddenly turned into a dirty team, which we’re certainly not.

“I can’t blame the ref for Saturday’s red as Murie had to go, what with handling on the line. But being down to ten men is no excuse at all as we should have had the game wrapped up by then.

“If we’d scored the penalty – which was well saved – I feel we would have gone on to win convincingly. “

Some good news for City is that key players Darren Smith and Craig Nelson both return from suspension for tomorrow’s clash and both will most likely go straight into the starting eleven. However, John Ward, Ross Archibald and Grant Johnson remain sidelined while David Murie is suspended after his dismissal last Saturday.

The visitors will be without former City man Iain Davidson, who is facing the prospect of a four match ban after being red carded against Stirling last Saturday. The ever present Mark Campbell is doubtful with a thigh problem so McGlynn will have to reshuffle his squad ahead of the match.