All my players are heroes is the upbeat message from Annan manager Jim Chapman, ahead of a massive game today.

Chapman’s troops will head to Forfar Athletic’s Station Park for the second leg of their Scottish League One promotion play-off semi-final, as they look to take another step towards football in the third tier next season.

The Galabankies will go into the match on level terms with Forfar, having drawn the first leg 2-2 at Galabank on Wednesday.

Goals from Peter Weatherson and Aidan Smith put Annan in command in the first leg, although two late goals in quick succession saw the Loons earn a share of the spoils from the four-goal thriller.

The Black and Golds met Forfar at Station Park as recently ago as last Saturday in their final regular Scottish League Two fixture of the campaign, coming away with a 4-2 win.

Another victory at Station Park by a similar scoreline would book Annan’s place in the play-off final.

But Chapman doesn’t believe either that match, or even Wednesday’s first-leg tie, will make much difference to this afternoon’s match (3pm kick-off).

He said: “If I just get all the numbers right, I will win the lottery. It’s much harder than that. It’s a completely different game. There’s no bearing at all. I think even Wednesday will have no bearing at all on the game, really.”

Chapman reckons Annan could have the lowest budget in Scottish League Two but, nevertheless on the pitch, his players have been one of the league’s best performers, finishing third as they made the play-offs.

“As far as I’m concerned, all of my guys are heroes,” the ex-Dumbarton boss said.

“There was not a very optimistic outlook for the squad at the start of the season. It’s fantastic what the players have achieved – they are my heroes.”

But Annan may have to play today’s game without two of their most experienced players in Cumbrian Gavin Skelton and Weatherson, who both came off with injuries in the second half of Wednesday’s tie.

While manager Chapman is looking to give them as much time as possible to prove their fitness, the pair are rated as doubtful to be involved.