Ayr Utd. vs Alloa Athletic preview - MacGregor back for Honest Men

Posted Saturday, April 06, 2013 by PA

Ayr United will look to keep their play-off hopes alive by seeing off second placed Alloa at Somerset Park.

The Honest Men's cause has been helped by the return of Neil MacGregor from suspension.

Kyle McAusland and David Sinclair available after injury but Adam Hunter is out because of a ban.

"Winning last week against East Fife and Arbroath's draw with Stenhousemuir in midweek has given us a chance," player/manager Mark Roberts said.

"We need to make the most of that chance by defeating a good Alloa side. We have had three really tight games against them this season with two of them drawn and the other lost 1-0.

"If we play like we can and defend properly for the 90 minutes then we can win."

Alloa are looking for the win that will put a play-off place within easy reach.

Captain Darren Young is back in their squad for the first time in two months.

Young played in a midweek friendly for over an hour to prove his fitness following a calf injury and manager Paul Hartley is delighted to have his skipper available.

"Darren is our most experienced player and he looked sharp in midweek," he said. "Ayr have a lot of experience in their ranks so it is good to have Darren available to give us a better balance.

"We will almost be there in terms of a play-off place if we win this one and that would be terrific as that was the aim at the start of the season."