ALLOA Athletic striker Greig Spence has called on his team-mates to embrace the tension in this afternoon's "do or die" play-off decider against Forfar Athletic.
The Wasps succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at Station Park on Wednesday evening, leaving their Championship status hanging by a thread.
Spence, who has participated in two Challenge Cup finals and an SFA Youth Cup showpiece at Hampden, acknowledges that the pressure of this relegation dogfight is similar to battling for a trophy.
He believes Danny Lennon's men are ready to rise to the challenge and complete a remarkable turnaround at Recreation Park.
Spence said: "The pressure is up there with anything I've experienced. You know that one mistake could see someone put the tie out of your reach, but I like that. I like playing in the big games and trying to make a difference, and Sunday is certainly a massive game. I'm sure the other boys feel the same.
"We have been down by a couple of goals before this season and we have managed to get back into the game and, although the stakes are higher, we need to believe we can do it against Forfar.
"It wasn't good enough during the week and we know what we need to do to make amends. We'll be prepared for that. There is work to do but we welcome the challenge . . . It's do or die, simple as that."
Spence, who began his career at the club as a schoolboy following his release by Rangers, before spells at Celtic and Raith Rovers, cannot imagine being relegated.
"It's a prospect that I don't want to think about," he said. "I don't want to have a relegation with Alloa on my record. All the boys feel that way too and that is what we are fighting against. We have a lot of motivation."
Alloa Athletic v Forfar Athletic, 5.30pm, BBC Alba
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