Player-manager Peter Murphy has called on his Annan Athletic team-mates to have more belief in their own abilities ahead of their trip to Elgin City.

Jim Weir’s men have made an encouraging start to their 2017/18 Scottish League Two campaign and sit third in the league, ahead of tomorrow afternoon’s match (3pm kick-off).

But after only four league encounters, a gap is already threatening to open up at the top. Leaders Stirling Albion, with a 100 per cent record, are five points clear of the Black and Whites and two points clear of second-placed Montrose.

Murphy said: “They [Elgin] have had a very good start. It’s up to us to go up there and change that.”

The much-changed Annan squad have endured a mixed start to their league campaign, picking up just one victory from their first four matches as they beat Berwick Rangers 5-1. Only Edinburgh City are below them in the table.

“There’s a little bit of a gap opening up at the top,” Athletic’s player-manager admitted. “There’s always two or three pushing at the top, and then everybody else is fighting for positions in the pack.

“At the moment, we look like we will fighting for a good position in the pack.”

Teenage striker John Cunningham joined Annan on transfer deadline day on loan until January, although Murphy was unable to make any further additions last Thursday.

Annan’s boss Murphy said: “It’s early days but the players have been great.

"They just need to believe in themselves a bit more. They are good players. The players need to be geeing each other up. When things are going well, it becomes second nature.”

Last Saturday, Murphy’s men were knocked out on the Irn-Bru Cup, losing 2-0 at Peterhead.

Ellis Pearson, Blair Henderson, Owen Moxon and Alex Mitchell were all given the chance to impress, and they did so despite the defeat.

“The boys that came in acquitted themselves well. Everybody is fighting for a place in tomorrow's team,” said Murphy.