Alloa v Hamilton: Accies need momentous effort as boss aims to avoid drama of last season's Wasps clash

Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin admits it will take a “momentous” effort for his side to reach the Championship via the play-offs - but insists last season’s dramatic semi-final tie with Alloa shows anything can happen.

Having been relegated from the Championship in the play-offs last season in a penalty shootout defeat to Airdrie, Accies are bidding to bounce straight back up.

Once again, Alloa stand in their way in the semis but Rankin is hoping there won’t be a repeat of last season’s epic clash which saw Accies trail the Wasps 3-0 on aggregate after 32 minutes of the second leg, forcing them to come roaring back to win the tie 5-3.

He said: “Last season’s game taught us you never know what to expect and the game is never done until it is done. Anything can happen in the play-offs. We know Alloa are a difficult opponent. They were difficult last season and they have been difficult for us in the league this season.

“Both teams obviously know one another really well, having played one another four times already so the players know what is in front of them. We need to be at the top of our game to get anything out of it.

“It is going to take a momentous effort over the next couple of weeks, but I have stressed to the players our biggest hurdle is Alloa. We have to overcome Alloa first to get anywhere. We know how competitive and physical the past few games have been so we need to be prepared for that. Our full focus is on Alloa and nothing beyond that.”

Accies go into the clash on a run of three-straight wins to finish off the regular League One campaign, including a 1-0 win at Alloa on April 27 and wins over Kelty Hearts and play-off rivals Montrose, who face Inverness Caley Thistle in the other semi-final tie.

Rankin