THE shine will be taken off Petershill’s season if they cannot secure one of the Super First Division promotion places.

That’s the considered opinion of none other than Peasy boss Willie Patterson, whose knowledgeable tutelage has the famous old Springburn club still going strong in the two major Cup competitions heading into the last four months of the season.

February has the makings of a particularly decisive month with his playing charges having a fifth round date at home to the winners of today’s replay clash between Bonnyrigg Rose and Kilsyth Rangers looming on the horizon on top of a short hop of a visit to meet near neighbours St Roch's next Saturday in a tasty looking New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup last 32 clash.

One would think seasoned gaffer Patterson has more to be happy about than not, however last night he bemoaned the dip in league form that has resulted in his Peasy side falling off the promotion pace after picking up just two points from a possible nine in head-to-heads against Irvine Meadow, Girvan and Irvine Vics.

He insisted: “We simply need to do better in our bread and butter games because getting back into the top Division has always been our number one aim.

“It’s pleasing to be involved in the big cup games but doing well and getting into the closing stages cannot be at the expense of promotion.

“To be sitting handily placed in fifth top spot is not going to be good enough in the final reckoning so we need to start closing the points gap on the teams above us starting with the league leaders Shettleston coming through to Springburn tomorrow.

“It has all the makings of a massive game and we have no room for error.”

Free-scoring frontman Jason Hardie misses out for the home team with a groin problem as does doubly unfortunate midfield prospect Alex Cassells whose long-awaited return to playing action last weekend following a 12 weeks injury absence has proven to be short-lived after he damaged ankle ligaments at training and is now facing a further six weeks on the sidelines.

But set to feature in the Glasgow city derby is seasoned campaigner Jordan Murch after he appealed against his red card dismissal in last week’s 2-2 draw with league bottom markers Irvine Vics.

Patterson added: “We have replacement options for young Jason with both Stephen McGladrigan and Graham Hearton waiting in the wings and we’re going to need the extra striker as this is a game we must look to win.”

Shettleston are themselves weakened on the playing front with Paul Martin a definite non-starter and Brian McEwan looking doubtful at best according to co-gaffer John Fallon Junior who revealed earlier.

“Those two are among the recruits brought on board along with Jamie McArthur, Ian Chisholm, Gary Millar and the former Motherwell Youth signing Aaron Neil to help boost the numbers from the 10 players on the books when my Dad and I took over.

“The gelling process is still underway even though we’ve received a decent response from the guys who appear to be buying in to how we want to do things.

“Two wins from our opening games has been a marvellous start though I’d probably admit that results have been a lot better than performances and the team is nowhere near where we want to be in terms of playing style.

“That said to be sitting top of the table while the team is going through a transition stage is not a bad place to be.”

Fallon who is refusing to rule out further additions to his playing squad before kick-off time continued: “Our group is improving with every week but we need to have more strength in depth ahead of games coming up against all the top teams and I fully expect us to receive our biggest challenge to date against Petershill who are a very organised side with match-winning types in Hardie, Liam Finnigan and Chrissy Hall more than capable of punishing us if we are not on our game.”

In other games affecting promotion contenders, Clydebank will be looking to atone for last weekend’s defeat by Renfrew when hosting the visit of Rutherglen Glencairn while Girvan will be confident of picking up the points at home to Irvine Vics.

Renfrew, whose recent form has sparked hopes of a promotion push await the visit of a Maryhill side that ran out 1-0 winners when the teams met at Lochburn Park.

Frew co-gaffer Colin Clark revealed: “Scott Morton is posted missing because of work commitments and he’ll be a huge loss while Darren Jones only returned from Australia on Thursday night and is nowhere near match fitness.

“A lot of onus rests on the shoulders of Chris Zok but he’s being doing well of late and will trouble Maryhill’s defence if we can get the right service to him.

“The points are important to us but maybe not in the way people might think as our focus is on picking up four more wins to keep us safe from relegation…anything from that point on will be a bonus.”

TODAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm)

Scottish Junior Cup Fourth Round: Rob Roy v Musselburgh Athletic. Replay: Bonnyrigg Rose v Kilsyth Rangers.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division: Arthurlie v Glenafton, Auchinleck Talbot v Largs Thistle, Cumnock v Beith, Kilwinning Rangers v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Troon v Hurlford Utd.

McBookie.com Super First Division: Blantyre Vics v Yoker Athletic, Girvan v Irvine Vics, Petershill v Shettleston, Renfrew v Maryhill, Clydebank v Rutherglen Glencairn, Irvine Meadow v Shotts Bon Accord.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Wishaw v Bellshill Athletic, Benburb v Rossvale, Cambuslang Rangers v Lesmahagow, Greenock v Vale of Clyde, Johnstone Burgh v Forth Wanderers, St Roch’s v Larkhall Thistle, Neilston v Thorniewood Utd.

McBookie.com Central Second Division: East Kilbride Thistle v Ashfield, Dunipace v Port Glasgow, Carluke Rovers v Gartcairn, Royal Albert v Newmains Utd, Glasgow Perthshire v Vale of Leven, Lanark Utd v St Anthony’s.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League: Muirkirk v Kello Rovers, Ardeer Thistle v Annbank Utd , Darvel v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Craigmark v Whitletts Vics, Maybole v Saltcoats Vics, Lugar Boswell v Dalry Thistle.