Edinburgh City host Brora Rangers in first Scottish pyramid play-off

Edinburgh City play at Meadowbank Stadium

Edinburgh City have been drawn to host Brora Rangers in the first leg of the inaugural Scottish pyramid play-off.

The Scottish Highland League champions will travel to face their Lowland League counterparts at Meadowbank Stadium on Saturday 25 April.

City will visit Brora's Dudgeon Park for the second leg a week later.

The aggregate winners will then take on the team that finishes bottom of League Two for a place in the Scottish Professional Football League next term.

Whoever loses that match will move into the Lowland League or Highland League depending on their location.

Montrose are presently 12-points adrift of Berwick Rangers at the foot of the League Two table.

The pyramid system was approved at the Scottish FA's annual meeting in 2013 to enable clubs outwith the senior league to realise their ambitions.

And, at the play-off draw, SFA chief executive Stewart Regan expressed confidence that "supporters around the country will enjoy what the pyramid play-offs have to offer".

Brora were 3-2 winners the last time they visited Meadowbank Stadium

The Highland League side won 3-2 when the sides met at Meadowbank in November to reach the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

Brora chairman John Young has previously suggested that there is some disquiet among Highland League clubs about the prospect of leaving their own set-up.

But team manager David Kirkwood said: "This is a great draw for the club knowing the return game is at home.

"We've both played each other and it will be a tight contest, but knowing we are at home in the second game is a plus."

Brora clinched their title last week and lead Turriff Rangers by 17 points, although the second-placed side have two games in hand.

By then, City had already been crowned Lowland League champions and currently lead East Kilbride by 15 points.

City committee member Andy McDonald said: "This is already a fantastic season for everyone at Edinburgh City, having celebrated winning the Lowland League with several games still to play in the season.

"For all of us at the club, however, the big prize remains the opportunity to play in the pyramid play-offs and ultimately the possibility of a place in the SPFL, something we have aspired to for many years."

Scottish pyramid play-off home/away draw

First leg, Saturday, 25 April - Edinburgh City v Brora Rangers (Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh)

Second leg, Saturday, 2 May - Brora Rangers v Edinburgh City (Dudgeon Park, Brora)