SFL Playoffs previews:

FIRST DIVISION

Airdrie United v Ayr United

Jimmy Boyle will send Airdrie United out to attack First Division visitors Ayr United in their play-off semi-final first leg.

The Diamonds manager said: “Some people will maybe look at this contest as being over the 180 minutes but I will be sending my team out to win.”

Winger Willie McLaren is banned and Graeme Owens and Phil Johnston are injured but top scorer Ryan Donnelly is back.

Ayr manager Brian Reid claims his side need to stand up and be counted. He said: “They will try to make it an intimidating atmosphere. My players will need to be big and strong.”

The Honest Men welcome back goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert but John Robertson, Adam Dodd and Michael McGowan are out.

Dumbarton v Arbroath

Dumbarton have the chance to reach the First Division for the first time in 16 years and manager Alan Adamson said: “At the start of the season if we had been offered a spot in the play-offs we would have said yes. Now we have the chance to turn a good season into a great season.”

Craig Dargo could start after a hat-trick on Saturday with on-loan Falkirk youngster Ally Graham struggling. Ryan Finnie and Mark Lamont are out.

Arbroath player/manager Paul Sheerin said: “This game will be very different to the league games which have been very open. It may well be that we need to sacrifice some of that approach until the second leg.”

Striker Jordan Elfverson has been passed fit and he has been included in a full Gayfield squad.

SECOND DIVISION

Elgin City v Albion Rovers

Elgin are in the play-offs for the first time in their 12 year SFL history and manager Ross Jack said: “We have done really well to create history already and I have asked the players to take us a stage further.”

Craig Gunn, Brian Cameron and Mark Nicolson all return.

Rovers manager Paul Martin has told his side to be positive. He said: “At the start of the season we were clear favourites to be relegated but we avoided the drop and almost avoided the play-offs.” Striker John Gemmell cannot get time off work and both Tony Stevenson and Chris Boyle are banned.

Stranraer v Queen’s Park

Stranraer manager Keith Knox is hoping his side show their knockout abilities against Queen’s Park. Knox said: “Hopefully we can show we are the best side in cup ties as that is how we are viewing the play-offs.” Knox has a full squad to pick from.

Queen’s Park coach Gardner Speirs said: “We have beaten Stranraer four times this season but I do not read anything into that. The games have all been close.”