Second division: Leading pair clash at Somerset

Published on Friday 30 January 2009 21:13

AYR United and Raith Rovers go head to head in a top-of-the-table clash at Somerset Park this afternoon. United have closed the gap on the Kirkcaldy side over the last few weeks and now sit just five points behind with two games in hand.

Whilst nothing will be decided today, victory for Brian Reid's men will put them in pole position in the title race. With Brechin City having dropped out of the running of late, the fight for top spot looks increasingly like being a two-horse race.

Both sides have received welcome news regarding their top scorers over the last week as Ayr's Bryan Prunty committed himself to the club for a further 12 months while Dundee United striker Kevin Smith has returned to Stark's Park on loan for the remainder of the season. The destination of the points this afternoon could well have depended on which of the two leading marksmen were on top, but after Prunty was ruled out through injury, Smith will have the stage to himself.

Raith will also travel to Ayr in confident mood having never conceded a goal at Somerset Park during John McGlynn's tenure as manager but his side have won only one of their last four on the road, having lost to both Stirling Albion and Peterhead in recent weeks.