Huge weekend in League 1

Stranraer could be crowned League 1 champions on Saturday as the race for the title reaches a thrilling conclusion.

Stephen Aitken’s side go into the BBC ALBA live clash with Morton at Stair Park – kick-off 5.30pm – a point clear of both Jim Duffy’s men and third-placed Forfar, who are away to Dunfermline.

The Blues reached the promotion play-offs last season but were written off by many this season and Aitken is hoping his players can keeping proving their doubters wrong.

He said: “It is a big game for both sides - in fact it is a huge game in terms of what could happen. It is the biggest game of our season and we have worked hard to be in this position.

“We kick off late at 5.30pm for the live coverage on BBC ALBA and that adds another level of intrigue as we will know how Forfar have got on.

“They have a tough game at East End Park as we found to our cost a couple of weeks ago and I have to praise my players for bouncing back from the late defeat there to see off Stenhousemuir last weekend.

"If Forfar were to lose then we know what a win in our game would mean. However, Morton are in exactly the same position.

“Our involvement in the title race was not predicted by many. Issues such as budgets and full-time teams in the league saw us tipped to be top half by some and relegation strugglers by others.

“The top half would have been judged as successful, especially when you consider better established teams in this league such as Stenhousemuir and Ayr have struggled.

“However, our boys have been tremendous since Christmas and have hardly been off top spot since then. No-one gave them a chance at the start of the season and it would be nice to prove the doubters wrong.”

A win for Stranraer would end Morton’s interest in the title regardless of how Forfar get on and former Cappielow player Aitken knows now is not a time for sentiment.

He said: "I was part of a Morton squad that was promoted by winning the Second Division. I did not play too often as I was just starting my career but I remember watching a nervous game with Dumbarton at the end of the season when Murdo MacLeod was in charge of the Sons.

"I played a lot more the following season when it was ourselves, Dundee United and Dunfermline going for the title.

“Dunfermline won it on the last day when we drew with United, who eventually went up via a play-off. The thing I remember is the queues to get into Cappielow that day. They were huge.

“I would like to think that I still have a good relationship with the Morton fans, however it was a while ago I was there. I had a lot of good times but I have also been promoted and been a league winner with Stranraer.

"I really enjoy being the Stranraer manager and the people in the town have got right behind us. Our home crowds have been great, in fact they have doubled, which is terrific and I am sure there will be plenty of them out in force this weekend.”

Craig Stewart