Houston urges Falkirk players to focus on clinching place in last 16
Falkirk will look to book their place in the last 16 by seeing off Forfar at the Falkirk Stadium with Bairns manager Peter Houston telling his players that there is no room for thinking that the job is done.
Houston said: “We have put ourselves into a good position with games against Forfar and Brechin to come, however we cannot think about the next round until we have qualified.”
Ayr can overtake local rivals Kilmarnock at the top of Group E if they defeat visitors Clyde. Manager Ian Mccall said: “Our fans enjoyed our win over Kilmarnock and we played well when we won at Dumbarton, however we are now expected to win. We have to handle that expectation.”
Dumbarton will look to secure their first point when Annan visit with home team manager Stephen Aitken frustrated by the competition’s rules that have left him short of players. Dougie Hill, Grant Gallagher, Tom Walsh and Stuart Carswell are again missing, and Aitken said: “We are over-using players when out-of-work players are sitting idle. We could give some boys a platform against Annan but it is not allowed.”
Highland League Champions Buckie end their Betfred campaign against visitors Raith Rovers with both sides looking for their first points.
Victoria Park manager Graeme Stewart said: “We do not want to finish on zero points so there is plenty to play for.”
Kirkcaldy boss Barry Smith is far from despondent after defeats from Dundee United and Dundee. “You never like losing but we are seeing progress,” he said. “The players have given their all and you cannot ask for any more than that.”
Stirling Albion will move into second place above Inverness Caledonian Thistle in Group A if they defeat Brechin at Forthbank. Manager Dave Mackay said: “We could finish up with seven points which would be a terrific total from this group.”
Berwick host Queen’s Park and it is a case of ‘what might have been’ for the Hampden men after their late collapse against Morton last week saw three points turn into one. Had the Spiders won, they would have been looking to seal a runners-up spot. Head coach Gus Macpherson saying: “If we had held on then we would have been going all out for nine points and second place.”
Stenhousemuir look to pick up three points for the first time in Group G when East Kilbride visit Ochilview, with manager Brown Ferguson warning his players that they are facing a SPFL side in waiting. Ferguson said: “East Kilbride are as good as any side we will face in League 2 so we need to be on our game to get a win.”