Super First Division promotion contenders Kilwinning Rangers will be going for the jugular in back-to-back contests that look set to define their season.

The third top of the standings Buffs host the visit of step-up rivals Cumnock tonight and will also be running out at Abbey Park on Saturday when taking on current second-placed Clydebank.

The importance of home advantage …and crucially making the most of it …was not lost on team boss Chris Strain when preparing his players for the crunch double-header.

He said: "There’s no getting away from the fact it’s shaping up as a make or break few days and I think the guys would see right through me if I attempted to play down the significance of the next couple of games.

“Yes we still have another 12 points to play for before our league campaign comes to an end, however taking points off our main promotion rivals at this stage of the season will stand us in good stead for the challenges that lie in wait.

“Largs Thistle have made a superb fist of leading from the front and look capable of setting a points target for the rest of us that will be extremely difficult if not impossible to attain and I reckon any team finishing above Bryan Slavin’s side will be champions.

”I have every confidence in my players giving it a go but you can bet John McKeown (Cumnock ) and Budgie McGhie (Clydebank) will be preaching the exact same gospel in their dressing rooms.”.

Kilwinning have tasted defeat only once in front of their fervent supporters all season …a 3-2 reverse inflicted by Kilsyth Rangers in only the fourth league outing back in September.

And Strainy is urging the Buffs fans to turn out in numbers tonight.

He said: "What the backing of our fans means to the players can never be underestimated and you only have to look at our scoring an impressive 23 goals en-route to posting five wins in our last five home league games as proof of that particular pudding.

“I would like to think the team’s displays up to now have made the Buffs support proud of them, however their roaring us on has been a massive factor in getting us over the line in a number of home games that matter .

“Now we need their help again and I’m pretty certain the Kilwinning people will answer our call to arms, particularly as we haven’t played at Abbey Park for a couple of weeks.”

Suspension rules out cornerstone defender Isaac Kerr, ironically red carded against Cumnock in a recent West of Scotland Cup match.

However, Strain has a full-strength squad to choose from otherwise and reports his players in good spirits.

He added: "The guys were a bit down after only drawing 1-1 away to Blantyre Vics last weekend so I thought it important to bring them in for a light training work out on Monday to clear the air and refocus their thoughts.

“They were champing at the bit by the time our session ended and it’s vital they retain that energy for kick off time tonight when I feel we need to be playing at a high tempo against a very well organised Cumnock.

“We drew 0-0 at their place just a fortnight ago and were then beaten on penalty kicks in the West Cup tie after a 1-1 draw and I fully expect there to be very little to choose between the teams again in tonight’s encounter.

“Their big centre-back Paul Murphy‘s experience is vital in holding their backline together and the winger Josh Watt has a lot of talent and technical ability, however their main man for me is top scorer Aidan Malone.

“He’s very intelligent and as good as anyone I’ve seen this season in terms of playing with his back to goal to bring team-mates into play so it’s crucial that we cut off the supply lines to him in order to help Tommy Maitland, Joe Coleman and Robert Boyd curb his threat.

“While we need to be on our game defensively, we cannot lose sight of the fact that we are an attacking team by nature and with home advantage must look to take the game to Cumnock at every opportunity and put them under pressure.

“Picking up three points will not be easy, but the players have never let me down every time I’ve asked them to step up to the plate this season .so here’s hoping.”

In other Super First affairs , Clydebank will look to strengthen their promotion claims when Blantyre Vics visit Holm Park while the battle to avoid relegation sees Shotts Bon Accord looking to ease themselves further away from the basement when taking on second bottom Bellshill Athletic.

And points are also at a premium at New Southcroft Park where the Sandy McLean steered Ardrossan Winton Rovers will be seeking to build upon Monday night’s 4-0 victory over Greenock against an improving Rutherglen Glencairn.