SFA bosses tonight gave Kelty Hearts and Brora Rangers the go-ahead to contest this year’s pyramid play-off.
The winners of the Lowland and Highland Leagues will go head to head in the two-legged tie on Saturday April 24 and Saturday May 1.
But the duo are still in the dark as to whether the winner will then get the chance to play-off against the bottom side in League Two for a place in the SPFL with the league body yet to confirm that fixture - meaning it could all be in vain.
It comes a year after they were denied their shot at reaching League 2 when the play-offs were scrapped with the country in lockdown amid the height of the coronavirus crisis.
Kelty and Brora were both declared champions of their leagues last week on an average points per game basis after lower league football was brought to a halt in January due to rising covid cases.
Both sides are now desperately seeking a professional sport exemption to allow them to return to full training.
A Kelty statement said: “With current Covid restrictions only allowing non-contact training for adult teams, and also travel restrictions remaining in place, we and the SLFL board are urgently seeking a professional sport exemption from the SFA which will allow the squad to return fully to training.
“This exemption is necessary to allow the squad to prepare fully for the biggest games in our clubs’ history.
“We are fully aware that a return to training will require full DPCR Covid testing, and we are currently in discussions to have this in place on the go ahead from the relevant authorities to return to training.
“The urgency of receiving this exemption can’t be emphasised enough so our management team and squad can prepare as best they can.”
