WIN A BREATH OF FRESH AYR

JOSH MULLIN reckons Ayr will have everything to play for if they can dump promotion rivals Dundee.

The Honest Men are third after a weekend win at Hamilton and would jump above the Dark Blues with victory at Dens.

The game in hand is critical to both outfits as they try to close the gap on leaders Queen’s Park.

Midfielder Mullin said: “It was important to win at Hamilton, especially at this stage of the season.

“We’re trying to keep the momentum going, we don’t want it to fizzle out.

“It was good to get back to basics, what we’ve been doing and winning.

“There are eight games to go and if you look at the table, there is everything to play for. We have this game in hand against Dundee and we will be going into that looking to build on the momentum from the weekend.

“We are at the business end of the season and know where we need – and want – to be.”

Lee Bullen was pleased with the way his team reacted to their Scottish

Cup defeat by Falkirk and Mullin insists it has set the standard for the run-in.

The 30-year-old, who swapped Livingston for Ayr in January, said: “A few people expected us to be on a downer but anyone watching the Hamilton game would have seen we were outstanding.

“We got that win and now ourselves and Dundee will be looking to try to put the pressure on Queen’s Park – who are doing well – with a win.

“Ayr were up challenging and it suited me. I had a great first half of the season with my goals and assists.

“That’s why I came back – because I could see the direction the club were going in and what they wanted to do this season.”

Dens winger Luke Hannant knows there’s no margin for error.

The 29-year-old said: “If you look too far ahead, that’s when you put added pressure on to yourself. It is just about focusing on the next game.”