Dowel or plug?

[Robbox]

I have a dining table where the table top has become stained and sanding hasn't cured this problem.
So one solution would be to turn the top over and use the underside. But the pedestal was screwed to the underside, leaving several screw holes.
The top is solid elm and there are no plugs or dowels in elm. Perhaps the closest wood is ash.
What would be the solution here?
I will have to drill out the holes, anyway, to take 6mm ash dowels, but these will be end grain plugs.
Or I drill out to either 8mm or 10mm and use oak or ash flat grain plugs.
I will be sanding back the underside to remove the lacquer....

 

[lostinthelight]

6mm plug cutters are available if you search for them.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Veritas-Tapered-Snug-Plug-Cutter/dp/B00TTVAYXO

 

[big-all]

as you say plugs will probably look worse as end grain absorbs more unless you can fashion it to go with the grain
have a look at the very small knot with 2 dots ??

 

[^woody^]

Just cut some plugs from the underside. You could get a good match for the grain if you can cut near to the back of the holes.

 

[big-all]

whilst i fully agree about "plugs from the back" you are reducing the option off plan "b" where resorting back to the front is better than trying to match the light and dark shadow lines fails or gives unsatisfactory results