Daily Record

IS IT LIFT-OFF FOR UNITED?

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CHAMPIONSH­IP title favourites Dundee United head to leaders Dunfermlin­e boosted by last weekend’s 2-1 win at home to Morton.

But was that hard-fought victory a flash in the pan or the start of more consistent form?

Ray McKinnon’s men trail the Pars by two points and can’t allow that gap to get out of hand as they bid for a top-flight return.

The Fifers, however, are in a rich vein of form. They have won seven of their last eight matches and are averaging three goals per game in the league. East End Park will be crackling today.

TRICKY TRIP FOR STRUGGLING BAIRNS

THE writing had been on the wall ever since Falkirk were turned over 4-1 at home by Queen of the South in late August.

It was no surprise to see the Bairns axe boss Peter Houston who picked up just two points from nine in the Championsh­ip since that humbling.

Falkirk travel to Morton today with veteran manager Alex Smith in caretaker charge. The 77-year-old has his work cut out with his side ninth in the table, out of form and low on confidence.

He couldn’t have asked for a trickier opening. Ton are a tough nut to track and apart from their 4-1 romp at home to St Mirren last month all their league games have ended in draws or been settled by the odd goal.

Championsh­ip fixtures (3pm): Dunfermlin­e v Dundee United, Inverness v Queen of the South, Livingston v Dumbarton, Morton v Falkirk, St Mirren v Brechin City.

TIMELY LIFT FOR DIAMONDS

AIRDRIEONI­ANS endured a shocking summer and a disappoint­ing start to the season but could their on-field prospects soon be looking brighter?

Stevie Findlay was appointed first-team coach yesterday. He has been in the dugout for the past few weeks but will be formally in charge for the first time today against Queen’s Park.

Findlay is well respected and enjoyed success with the Under-20s squad.

But off-field shenanigan­s continue to hang over the club.

League One fixtures (3pm): Airdrieoni­ans v Queen’s Park, Albion Rovers v Raith Rovers, Arbroath v Alloa, Ayr v East Fife, Forfar v Stranraer.

GABLE ENDIES WANT TO END HURT

NOT since May 4, 1996 have Montrose played a league match outside the bottom tier.

Stewart Petrie’s appointmen­t as manager last December, however, was akin to turning the club back on again at the socket.

Montrose sit fourth in League Two and a visit from Clyde today represents a good chance to rediscover their great early-season form.

League Two fixtures (3pm): Annan Athletic v Cowdenbeat­h, Montrose v Clyde, Peterhead v Berwick, Stenhousem­uir v Edinburgh City, Stirling Albion v Elgin.

 ??  ?? CRUCIAL McKinnon TALL ORDER Smith NEW DAWN Findlay ELECTRIC Petrie
CRUCIAL McKinnon TALL ORDER Smith NEW DAWN Findlay ELECTRIC Petrie

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