Angus Mailer insists Elgin City won’t fear League Two leaders Dumbarton as they set out to gain a measure of justice for two spot-kick calls in August’s defeat.
The 24-year-old defensive midfielder has 20 appearances to his name this season, helping City break back into the top four last week.
A gutsy 3-2 victory at Bonnyrigg Rose on Saturday was inspired by a hat-trick from Russell Dingwall, two of which came from the spot.
The result took the Black and Whites into the promotion area again and they are two points away from East Fife, who host Albion Rovers.
Elgin are 10 points away from visiting pace-setters Dumbarton, but a 2-1 loss away to the Sons almost three months ago was a particularly sore one.
Kane Hester’s first half goal had the visitors in control, but two penalty awards from referee Duncan Williams were converted by Alistair Love to give Dumbarton the win.
Elgin manager Gavin Price felt the penalties were soft and raised his concerns with the Scottish FA about several decisions he feels his side had been on the wrong end of away from home.
Home supporters can inspire Elgin
Mailer felt Elgin were brave at Dumbarton and believes the spot-kick calls can only serve to fire them up for this weekend’s Borough Briggs showdown.
He said: “We played very well down there and I thought we were the better team. Two big decisions went against us and we need to take that as motivation on Saturday to get the win, backed by our home crowd.
“They got a good 2-0 win against Stranraer on Saturday, but we go into this one knowing how well we competed against them down there and there are three points up for grabs, which is what we’re going for.”
Draper making a difference for City
Elgin, who finished ninth last term, have the bit between their teeth as they seek to secure a shot at promotion via the play-offs.
And Mailer feels the recruitment of ex-Caley Thistle and Ross County star Ross Draper has helped them get over the line in tight tussles.
He said: “Our target is always to push for promotion. It’s an achievable goal.
“We had a wee bit of a slow start when we had too many draws and not enough wins on the board.
“Ross Draper has come in since then and steadied us at the back. We’ve started to see out results and come away with three points more often.
“We are getting a wins on the road as well, which is never easy.
“At East Fife, Stenhousemuir and Dumbarton away, we’ve not had favourable results, so it was important to get the win last weekend.”
Double act have got 30 goals already
Dingwall’s hat-trick at Bonnyrigg took him to 10 for the season and main striker Hester is incredibly on 20. The influence of the confident duo is there for all to see, according to Mailer.
He said: “We’re playing well and scoring goals. Kane is a real threat at the moment, really on form and he’s also won us a few penalties.
“Russell is also on top form and they are key players for us. When they are both firing, they are big assets to our team.
“Russell has got a bit of a more free role in the middle of the park, which gives him the luxury to get forward and support Kane. That helps not only Kane, but Russell, who has got a good number of goals, which is great.”
Back-line role no sweat for Mailer
Usually a midfielder, Mailer found himself at right-back last week and led the line alongside Hester against Dumbarton this season.
The ex-Stirling University and Forfar Athletic player insists he will take any position if he can come in to do a job for the Moray side.
He added: “I think I’ve worn every number this season, apart from in goals.
WATCH
Congratulations to Russell Dingwall who scored a hat-trick at the weekend in our 3-2 victory over Bonnyrigg Rose.
📺 Here's our view of his two penalties on Saturday!
⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/aNJpKMKpxU
— Elgin City F.C. (@ElginCityFC) November 7, 2022
“I came in to cover at right-back. I played there a while ago, but maybe not since youth football, so I just tried to keep it tight and do the basics.
“I’m happy to play wherever needed and can shift back into midfield when need be.”
Dingwall treble earned three points
A first-half treble from Dingwall had Elgin coasting at Bonnyrigg last week by half-time.
Conor Doan trimmed that lead early in the second half and George Hunter netted the hosts’ second goal with nine minutes to go.
Mailer was delighted that City dug deep to earn a terrific away day victory.
He said: “Bonnyrigg’s pitch has a big slope and we took advantage of that in the first half to build up our lead.
“We knew, with their big home crowd, they’d come out in the second half and give us a good go.
“When they got that early goal, it gave them confidence, but ultimately we’ve come away with a very good three points.”
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