The promotion race in League 1 hots up this weekend as leaders Stranraer travel to play second-placed Morton and Forfar, in third, entertain fourth-top Dunfermline.
Stair Park boss Stephen Aitken is out to ensure his table-toppers make more of a contest at Cappielow this time out after their last visit saw them hit with an early double blow.
Aitken said: “The last time we were are at Cappielow it was a disappointing time and the game was over before it had begun. It was just the second game of the season and we had gone there determined to make an impression but, with the match just a few minutes old, our goalkeeper David Mitchell was sent off after giving away a penalty which was scored.
“We ended up losing 4-0 on what was a long afternoon. We are looking to do better this time and keeping 11 men on the park for the entire game will be a good start to helping that happen.
“It is a big game as it is the first-placed side visiting the second-placed side but there is still a long way to go in the season. Nothing will be any clearer at the end of it, regardless of the result.
“The two sides are in cracking form and it should be a game where both teams attack each other. I will be the first to say that winning at Cappielow is a terrific result but I will also be the first to say that we do not have much of an upper hand for the rest of the season if we do.
“Beating Peterhead last week was a very solid result. There had been a lot of focus on us the week before when we faced Dundee United in the Scottish Cup. That game was on live TV and everything about the Peterhead game was a lot quieter.
“However, the players handled that and to keep a clean sheet and chalk up another win made it a fine afternoon.
“Morton are a strong side, especially at home, but this is a game that we are looking forward to. It is always good to test yourself against the full-time sides on their home pitch, whether that is Morton or Dunfermline - it is the hardest tests in our league.
“Both Morton and Dunfermline have strengthened their squads recently and, while Peter MacDonald may miss out with an injury, Declan McManus is back at the club and he is a pretty decent player as well.
“Michael Tidser was also a great signing and Morton will be disappointed he cannot play but what has not grabbed a lot of headlines was the signing of Ross Caldwell who was a top capture as well. Morton are very serious title challengers but I enjoy going back to Cappielow after playing there for a long time.
“It is a huge game for us but it is a huge weekend for the League, with third-placed Forfar hosting fourth-placed Dunfermline.”
Craig Stewart
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