Queen of South vs Ayr Utd. preview - Banned strikers miss crunch clash

Bottom club Queen of the South are without injured strikers Marc McCusker and Kevin Smith again as they face Ayr United in what could prove to be a pivotal game in their season.

Palmerston Park manager Gus McPherson , who has no new injury or suspension problems, has labelled the clash as a "must-win" encounter.

He said: "We need the points and also need to get our fans behind us after letting them down in our last home game when we lost 5-0 to Partick.

"It's really important that everyone understands the importance of this one.

"We got a reaction following the Partick game with a good performance at Hamilton last Saturday where we didn't deserve to lose 3-0. We need that same reaction again and more."

Ayr will be without suspended pair Eddie Malone and Michael McGowan.

Jamie McKernon misses out due to a hip problem, but Martyn Campbell and Liam Tomsett both return after missing the midweek defeat from Dundee.

Manager Brian Reid said: "Winning any game at this stage of the season is a great win, but this one does have added significance as it would open up a nine-point gap on our hosts.

"Despite the scoreline against Dundee we deserved better from the game, but it never happened so we need to move on.

"We hit the woodwork twice at 2-1 down before losing two injury-time goals through mistakes. If we cut out the mistakes we can win this one."