BARRY WON’T RULE OUT LEAGUE RIVALS

RAITH Rovers will look to open up a five-point gap on second-placed Ayr United when they play their game in hand at Stark’s Park tonight.

The top two in League 1 will know exactly how they stand after the Kirkcaldy men host Albion Rovers.

Manager Barry Smith is refusing to concede the title chase is a two-horse race, though.

He said: “I do not look too far ahead but it will only be good t o get t his game played and know where we are exactly if we win.

“However, this title race is not j ust about Raith Rovers and Ayr, as Alloa and Arbroath are winning games and cannot be discounted.

“Everyone has been fo c u s i n g o n Ay r a n d ourselves but nothing can be taken for granted.”

The Coatbridge men defeated the other Rovers earlier in this campaign and Smith is in no mood for it to happen a second time.

Smith added: “Albion Rovers ended our excellent start to the season and they are a side who have scored a lot of goals.

“They have lost Conor Shields, who was excellent for them, to Sunderland.

“That is a terrific move for the kid but he was not their only threat.

“This game will be decided by what my players do, however.

“We were excellent at Queen’s Park on Saturday, especially in the first half, and we need that level of performance that secured a 3-1 win again.”