Backline blues for Crawford

Posted Tuesday, March 30, 2010 by PA

East Fife are facing something of a defensive crisis ahead of their home game against Brechin.

John Ovenstone is doubtful with an ankle knock and player-manager Stevie Crawford is definitely without Mark Staunton, Scott Thomson and Goran Stanic.

Recent signing Alan Lowing is also ruled out with a knee problem as the Bayview side look to leapfrog Stenhousemuir and ease their relegation fears.

East Fife lost 2-1 to bottom club Clyde at the weekend and Crawford said: "We were unlucky to go down to Clyde but it seems to be a case of making slow progress at East Fife.

"We were climbing the table after beating Peterhead and Arbroath but losing the last three games has really hurt.

"We are continuing to play good football and if we stick to our principles we will do okay."

Brechin manager Jim Duffy is set to select from an unchanged squad.

Full-back Willie Dyer and on-loan Morton midfielder Alex Walker remain unavailable for City.

Striker Mark Archdeacon will be looking to build on an encouraging debut, which saw him score the winner in a 2-1 victory at Stenhousemuir.

Brechin currently occupy fourth place in the table but are hot on the heels of Cowdenbeath and Stirling, who play each other on Tuesday night.

Yet Duffy said: "There is no point in worrying about what happens between Cowdenbeath and Stirling if we do not take care of our own business at East Fife.

"There is usually a great surface to play on down there and that suits us."