First division: Jimmy Nicholl out to maintain winning run and banish relegation fears

Published on Monday 21 March 2011 15:54

Cowdenbeath's 1-0 win over Partick Thistle on Saturday moved them into eighth place and manager Jimmy Nicholl is looking for the same type of performance against Morton tonight to keep his side above Ross County and Stirling Albion.

Nicholl said: "We restricted Partick to very few chances and we will need to do the same against Morton. We are at home and it would be great to use that advantage to get another three points and pull us closer to the teams above us."

Defender Joe Mbu has been ruled with John Armstrong, Bob Malcolm, Scott Linton and Colin Cameron all injury doubts for Cowdenbeath.

Morton midfielder Darren Young is set for a comeback after a calf problem when the Greenock men return to a Fife ground where they missed two penalties earlier in the season in a 2-2 draw.

The Cappielow club played out a goalless draw with league leaders Raith Rovers at the weekend and manager Allan Moore is looking for his men to build on what was a fine display.

Moore said: "We need to match Cowdenbeath's endeavour as I want to finish as far up the table as we can."

Defender David MacGregor and striker Kevin Kelbie are expected to miss out again through injury, but on-loan Celtic youngster Sean Fitzharris is available after a ban.

Dundee will put their 21-game unbeaten run on the line against promotion-chasing Dunfermline with Lochee Junior player Craig Robertson included for his last game as a trialist.

Sean Higgins is out through injury and defender Craig McKeown along with midfielder Stephen O'Donnell both face late fitness test.

Dens Park manager Barry Smith said: "This will be a really tough game as Dunfermline are going for promotion and they will be given everything they can for the three points."

Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre knows a victory could take his side top of the table if Raith slip up at Ross County, but he said: "Dundee are battling fantastically well. We are a good side and can beat them, but I am sure Barry Smith will be telling his players exactly the same."

McIntyre will be without Gary Mason following his red card at the weekend and the midfielder joins the injured trio of Neil McGregor, Nicky Phinn and Steven Bell on the sidelines.

Queen of the South manager Kenny Brannigan remains short of players for Falkirk's visit to Palmerston Park as Rocco Quinn remains out with a hamstring problem and Stephen McKenna is unavailable due to illness.Roddy McKenzie will continue in goal with regular keeper David Hutton struggling with a groin injury.

However, two wins in two games have lifted spirits at the cash-strapped club, and Brannigan said: "We want to finish the season as high up the table as possible and we can pull level with Falkirk tonight."

Falkirk manager Steven Pressley, whose side are now 14 points off the top of the table despite having three games in hand, looks set to be without winger Ryan Flynn through illness and defender Mehdi Khalis, who is on international duty with the Moroccan under-23 side.

League leaders Raith need a win over ninth-placed Ross County to be sure of staying top and manager John McGlynn said: "The spirit and work-rate of the players has taken us to the top and I sure it will continue as we face a lot of hard games."

County manager Jimmy Calderwood is still smarting from Saturday's 2-1 loss against Queen of the South that left his side in the relegation play-off place.

He said: "I am looking for a much sharper performance."

Stirling Albion's cause was not helped by red cards for Martin Corrigan and Paul McHale at the weekend, and the bottom side will also be missing injured goalkeeper Callum Reidford and defender Greig MacDonald against Partick Thistle.

Partick, who slipped to defeat by Cowdenbeath on Saturday hope to have Simon Donnelly available after injury.