Ayr V Stranraer at Somerset Park : Match Preview

15 March 2013 16:31
Ayr V Stranraer - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


McLaughlin poised for second `debut'

Ayr will hand a starting place to Scott McLaughlin against Stranraer at Somerset Park after he joined the club for a second time on loan from Peterhead.

Striker Michael Moffat is available after serving a one-game suspension last week and John Robertson is fit again.

Kyle McAusland could be included after getting the plaster removed from his broken hand, but Robbie Crawford and player/manager Mark Roberts are banned with Ryan McStay (foot), Martyn Campbell (knee) and Michael McGowan (knee) all still sidelined.

Roberts said: "Scott has a winning mentality and we need more of that on the pitch in the run-in to the season.

"This is a game that we can win if everyone plays well, but Stranraer are no mugs."

Stranraer will be without defender David MacGregor due to a knee injury as they look to pull level on points with Ayr.

The Blues came back from two goals down last week to defeat Albion with Craig Malcolm grabbing a hat-trick and manager Stephen Aitken is looking for the same again from his striker.

Aitken said: "Strikers need goals to be confident and Craig is therefore flying at the moment.

"I'm sure that the Ayr defence will not be looking forward to containing him.

"Ayr have talked about going for the promotion play-offs, but at the back of their minds I'm sure they know that if they lose to us they could be facing the relegation ones, so it could be a cagey afternoon."


Source: PA