Raith and Ayr aim to end winless streaks

Ayr United manager Ian Mccall is looking for a much-improved performance from his side – whohave gone 15 games without a win – when they host a Raith Rovers outfit who have themselves gone 14 without tasting success.

Second bottom, Mccall’s men went down meekly to fellow relegation candidates St Mirren on Saturday in a 2-0 defeat that hurt the Somerset Park boss, pictured, who said: “It was a huge game and we got what we deserved which was nothing.”

“We now have the opportunity to pull ourselves closer to Raith and Dumbarton and push ourselves three points further away from St Mirren before they face Hibs on Wednesday. If we go out and give it everything then we can take it.”

Mccall could have Declan Mcdaid available but Ross Docherty is suspended, Robbie Crawford is out injured and Jamie Adams, Peter Murphy and Paddy Boyle are all doubts. Raith boss John Hughes is looking for his men to be brave. He said: “I want the players to hold on to the ball even if it is King Kong that is on them. Confidence is low and that can make players less brave.”

“I am glad that we have this game as quickly as I am looking for us to show resilience. We looked vulnerable at the weekend at Queen of the South. It is a time to stand up and be counted and we can win this game by showing a bit of character.”

Hughes could have a goalkeeping crisis to solve before kick-off as shotstoppers Kevin Cuthbert and Aaron Lennox are both out injured and Conor Brennan was struggling to such an extent in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Palmerston that he could not take bye kicks.

Hughes said: “Hopefully Conor he will be fit. If not I will need a favour from someone.”

Midfielder Scott Robertson again misses out due to injury.