LET’S KICK ON
McCall targets victory to push Ayr six clear of Pars
Ian McCall wants Ayr to put daylight between themselves and the chasing pack when they head to Dunfermline on Saturday.
A win will push United six points clear of the third bottom Pars and level with fading Queen of the South if the Palmerston men lose to Dumbarton.
Loan pair Scott McKenna and Kevin Nisbet, who were forced to sit out Tuesday night’s Scottish Cup 1- 0 win against Brechin which booked a fourth round tie at home to Queen’s Park, return to the squad.
But Paul Cairney completes the second of his two game ban.
The Pars know a win will leapfrog Ayr into seventh but that isn’t on the agenda for McCall and his men.
The Somerset boss said: “There is great rivalry between ourselves and Dunfermline because of last season.
“It’s a fantastic pitch and stadium. We are more than capable of going there and winning.
“It’s also a chance to try and push into the group of teams above us so it’s a big game and there are a few of them coming up.
“We deserved to beat Brechin but it wasn’t a great game. The pitch cut up so it wasn’t easy but we kept a clean sheet and got the win.
“However, a cup tie is all about winning and we now have a home tie against Queen’s Park which is winnable for us to get to the last 16.
“Queen’s is where I started so they are a club very close to my heart.
“I played with Jimmy Nicholson who is still a director there so I am looking forward to the tie.”
Ayr had teenage keeper Lyle Avci making his debut on the bench after regular back- up Jordan Hart was ruled out with a chest infection.
Peter Murphy had been in line to start in central defence but a calf strain kept him on the sidelines.
In the end, United did just enough to win a cup tie that was played out before only 308 fans, 70 of whom from Ayr and some who went topless.
Now it’s onwards and upwards to East End Park as Ayr look to kick on in the Championship.
Bookies make Dunfermline 11/ 10 favourites to grab the three points. Ayr are 12/ 5 outsiders with McBookie. com while the draw is 5/ 2.
First scorers in Fife include Alan Forrest at 11/ 2 and Gary Harkins at 6/ 1.
Last season, the sides met five times and the Pars won four of them, including a Scottish Cup tie – Ayr to turn the tables on them and win half time and full time is 5/ 1.
United to win and both teams to score is also 5/ 1. And it’s 13/ 20 for the double chance of Ayr and the draw.
The Cottage Travel Club bus for Dunfermline leaves the Campbeltown Bar at noon. Seats, price £ 10, from Jamie ( tel: 07792 747 354).