Arthurlie will head to Pollok tonight looking for a timely boost to their hopes of climbing away from the relegation trapdoor.

There has been much to admire about the Barrhead men grinding out results in a number of recent league outings however the manner of his side’s 4-1 reverse by Beith on Monday night will be a source of concern for team boss Stevie Kerrigan ahead of making his dugout debut in the derby fixture.

And he knows to expect no favours from a Pollok side still harbouring dreams of a cup and league double.

Kegs said: "We were a bit broken ahead of the Beith game with a few players struggling for full fitness.

"But you come to expect that to be the way of things at this stage of the season when games are coming thick and fast.

“And the fixtures were not exactly kind in landing us with back-to-back away games against both Scottish Cup finalists when they are brimming with confidence.

“But football can be such an unpredictable sport and I certainly wouldn’t bet against my players getting back up of the floor and giving Pollok a game of it.”

Lok boss Tony McInally was among Monday night’s spectators at Bellsdale Park and he is urging his playing charges to prepare for a testing 90 minutes.

He said: "The stakes are different but every bit as high for both ourselves and Arthurlie so my players cannot assume the points are as good as in the bag just because we are in the top half of the table.

“They are a proud club who will keep fighting to keep their Super Premier Division status and I cannot help but think taking our scalp would give Kegs and his players a huge confidence lift going into their run-in games.

“The derby match atmosphere only adds to the occasion and I’d much prefer if our supporters were the ones with something to smile about come the final whistle.”

Macca reports a clean bill of health other than a “few bumps and bruises” yet he is continuing to keep striker Alan McKenzie in reserve rather than risk an aggravation of his hamstring strain.

He added: "Alan could have played against Hurlford at a push and the same applies to tonight’s game, but I just feel another week’s rest will have him right as rain going into our closing games of the season.”

Their recent ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup obligations have led to Pollok slipping down to third top spot in the standings, however Macca insists their title challenge is very much alive and well.

He said: "Auchinleck are back in pole position and are rightly regarded as favourites, but we are still in the mix and I would love to go back atop the pile and ask a question of all the contenders .

“The likes of Hurlford and Kilbirnie Ladeside are a threat while Troon are fast running out of road, but it would make for an interesting run-in if we could take full points from our handful of remaining games and see where it gets us.”

In other top flight contests, fifth-top Kilbirnie host the visit of Auchinleck in a clash that will not be for the faint-hearted while bottom markers Irvine Meadow await the visit of Glenafton and Beith will be going all out to ease themselves further away from the basement dogfight when taking on Hurlford at Bellsdale Park

Top attraction in the Super First Division card is the meeting of title contenders Cumnock and Kilwinning Rangers which has been given added intrigue after the Buffs slumped to a shock defeat against relegation strugglers Maybole on Monday night while a rampant Cumnock were thrashing Ardrossan Winton Rovers by an 8-1 scoreline.

Another challenger Clydebank will be seeking to get back on the rails following Monday’s 2-0 reverse by a resurgent Blantyre Vics who are showing signs of coming with a promotion challenge of their own now they are up into fifth top spot and a mere point behind the Bankies.

League leaders Largs Thistle are strongly fancied to pick up the spoils at home to shell-shocked Ardrossan whose manager Sandy McLean will look for a vastly improved performance from his players back at his former club.

In the Central First Division title race, Renfrew have the opportunity to open up a nine point gap on second placed Wishaw if they can take all three points from their Lochburn Park encounter against Maryhill while a make or break clash beckons for St Roch's whose slim step up hopes will be extinguished unless Andy Cameron’s side win at home to fourth-placed Rossvale.