Queen's Park hoping to bury their Berwick hoodoo as promotion race hots up

Mar 16 2012

Martin McBride

QUEEN'S PARK are hoping to beat bogeymen Berwick for the first time this season to keep their promotion push on the right track.

Gardner Speirs' men enjoyed a rare day off on Saturday and were given further reason to relax as promotion rivals Elgin City and Annan Athletic both lost.

The Spiders are 12 points off top spot with a game in hand ahead of their trip to Shielfield but a place in the play-offs is currently well within their grasp with nine matches to go.

However, Speirs is well aware of his side's poor record against Berwick this season - having gathered just two points from a potential nine.

The Hampden boss has doubts over key men Martin McBride and David Murray but is refusing to give up the chase on leaders Alloa.

Speirs said: "There’s nine games to go, if we have everyone fit and available for the last quarter of the season it will give us a tremendous boost.

"Berwick will be a tough game, they're capable of beating any team on their day. We know it’ll be tough going down there but we have to try and take the three points."

Queen's keeper Neil parry is suspended for the clash after seeing red in the last outing against Elgin and Adam Strain is expected to take over between the sticks.