Dumbarton eager to bounce back as they eye safety

DUMBARTON have the chance to move closer to First Division safety tonight, when they welcome Raith Rovers, whom they beat 4-2 a fortnight ago.

Manager Ian Murray is demanding his players bounce back from Saturday’s 3-0 defeat from Livingston when they host the Kirkcaldy side in one of three games taking place in the division this evening.

“Saturday was disappointing and in fact it was the first time I felt we have had a performance that was not acceptable. It has been a tough shift for a part-time side as this will be our sixth game in 17 days but I am looking for an improvement,” he said.

Striker Bryan Prunty looks set to return to the starting line-up after a substitute appearance at the weekend, but Paul McGinn, Nicky Phinn and Robbie Winters remain out with knocks.

Raith manager Grant Murray is out for revenge for that 4-2 reverse and he is hoping that, after beating title-chasing Morton and drawing with leaders Partick Thistle, his side can go on and end their season in style.

Murray said: “After going two goals up in the last game with Dumbarton we should not have lost it. We let things get too open and paid the price.

“But we did well to beat Morton and draw with Partick in the two games since, so can go looking for revenge with confidence.”

Dougie Hill and Pat Clarke are out injured for the Fifers.

Cowdenbeath, who have lost their last four games to slip into ninth place, face Livingston.

The Blue Brazil lost four goals in the last 21 minutes at Falkirk on Saturday. Player/manager Colin Cameron could return to the starting line-up tonight after a hamstring injury, but Lewis Milne remains a doubt due to illness and Kenny Adamson is struggling with a back problem. Dean Brett, Liam Cusack and Pablo Navas remain out with knocks. Livingston’s teenage striker Kyle Lander made a goalscoring debut against Dumbarton at the weekend and is expected to keep his place.

Hamilton, whose interim manager Alex Neil got off to a winning start away to Dunfermline at the weekend, host Airdrie United tonight. Gary Fisher returns for Accies after a two-game ban, but Neil and striker Keiran Millar are injured. David Lilley returns after a ban for Airdrie, although Grant Evans is suspended after being sent off at Cappielow on Saturday and John Boyle and Jordan Kirkpatrick are injured.