Arbroath boss Allan Moore turned 50 on Christmas Day and he has targeted a win over East Fife as the perfect late present to mark his personal milestone.
A win at Bayview would also make up for the Fifers ruining what had been a perfect start to the season from the Red Lichties, as Gary Naysmith’s men left Gayfield with all three points courtesy of a 2-0 win earlier in the campaign.
Moore explained: “I wanted us to get to my birthday and the Christmas period at the top of the table and we did.
“I now want us to build on that and end 2014 at least five points clear.
“The only way we can guarantee that is if we beat East Fife.
“They are probably disappointed at how the rest of their season has gone after they beat us, but Gary has a strong squad there and we need to play well to win.
“We will need to work really hard to get the three points but that does not worry me as the players worked really hard to get our win over Berwick last Saturday.
“To do that and then learn that our closest rivals Queen’s Park and Albion Rovers had dropped points allowed me to enjoy my birthday.
“Another weekend like that will allow me to enjoy the New Year.”
Moore has brought in St Johnstone’s Dylan Easton on loan as a replacement for Dylan Carreiro who has returned to Dundee at the end of his three-month spell at Gayfield.
The Perth youngster may have to be content to start on the bench though as Kieron Stewart looks set to return to the starting line-up after a knock.
Kevin McBride also looks set to keep his starting place in defence rather than midfield, with only goalkeeper David Crawford out injured.