ROB ROY boss Stewart Maxwell is warning his players to be at their clinical best if they are to dump Kilbirnie Ladeside who will be fighting for their Super Premier Division lives at Guys Meadow today.

The pressure is undoubtedly mounting atop the pile in the wake of last midweek’s league encounters and now only two points separate the frontrunning Rabs from title rivals Glenafton who have played a game less as indeed have reigning champions Auchinleck Talbot currently a further two points adrift.

Maxi insisted: “The guys played really well on Monday night against Pollok but had to settle for a 1-1 draw after failing to convert a lot of excellent outfield play into goals.

“And that outcome came home to roost when the Glens then beat Talbot 1-0 on Wednesday to eat into our points lead and make things so much tighter at the top therefore it’s imperative we stick away our chances in order not to slip up again against Kilbirnie.

“It’s a massive game for both clubs though with differing pressures as we look to keep hold of pole position while Ladeside will be hoping to boost their chances of staying up by taking all three points in what is their final league game of the season.”

The ambitious Rabs gaffer refuses to accept today’s head-to-head is shaping as the easiest 90 minutes his players are likely to encounter over a make or break run-in which has the Kirkintilloch outfit taking on fellow title challengers Auchinleck (h), Beith (a) and Glenafton (h+a) .

He insisted: “Kilbirnie are a far better team than their league position suggests and they have a manager Mark Bradley who need no lessons on how to motivate his players so I’ve no doubt he will be reminding each and everyone of them of what’s at stake just before they run out from the dressing room.

“I’m pretty sure there will be nerves and a bit of tension apparent but I’ll be looking for my players to focus on producing the free flowing style of football that has put us firmly in the title running…hopefully this time with the end result of a few more goals.”

Maxi’s selection hand for today’s contest is boosted by the return of team captain Gary McMenamin from suspension but versatile defender Craig Buchanan remains a definite non-starter with a long-term ankle injury.

And the team boss also insists Danny Boyle has the mental strength to cope with an immediate return to playing action after being put through the emotional wringer by the outcry surrounding his midweek red carding for an aerial challenge that badly injured Pollok midfielder Liam Rowan.

Maxi revealed: “Danny will be fine even though he has experienced a difficult week after being castigated in certain quarters for what video footage has shown to be an accidental clash of heads.

“But it says everything about his character that he still made a point of getting in touch with Liam to offer his apologies and I’ve no fears about throwing him into the mix today.”

An understandably buoyant Glenafton will be doing their utmost to capitalise on any Rob Roy slip up by taking the spoils from their Dunterlie meeting with Arthurlie which sees Glens boss Craig McEwan returning to his former club.

Hoping to turn up the heat is Barrhead gaffer Chris Mackie whose team plans have been wrecked in recent weeks by the unavailability of players through suspension, injury and work commitments.

Long-term injured pair Ian Nimmo and Scott Gair won’t play again this season while a two-game ban rules out Jordan Heyden, however back in the fray is defensive ace Graeme Girvan after a three-game suspension for being red carded back in January took fully 13 weeks to serve out.

Mackie insisted: “Getting any sense of cohesion in the team has been nigh on impossible due to missing players and we have found ourselves on the thin side for numbers on several occasions.

“That will change going forward as will the mindset that it is acceptable for a club like Arthurlie to simply aim for consolidating our place in the Super Premier.

“My sights are set much higher and any players wanting to be part of our plans for the future have to prove they have something to offer every time they run out wearing a club jersey and what better time to start than today against this very good Glens side.

“Southy has done a tremendous job to change their fortunes and he’ll be afforded a warm welcome from our supporters as will the two former Arthurlie strikers Chris Dallas and Joe Andrew in his playing squad, however that’s all I want them to be taking away from Dunterlie today.

“We’re not mathematically safe from relegation just yet and the sooner that happens then the sooner Jimmy Lyndsay and myself can get on with preparations for next season.”

A test of character awaits Auchinleck’s players in making the short hop to face Hurlford United after their four-year hold on the Super Premier Division silverware was loosened by the midweek reverse against Glenafton.

Losing the competitive Craig McCracken as well as Mark Shankland’s match-winning qualities through injury has now been exacerbated by Dwayne Hyslop hobbling off with a knee injury on Wednesday night while a major doubt hangs over the fitness of Stevie Wilson leaving gaffer Tommy Sloan with midfield berths to fill against old foes Hurlford.

The only other top flight game taking place has third top of the table Beith seeking to keep their faltering title dreams alive by overcoming bottom markers Troon at Bellsdale Park.

Meanwhile, one hears today’s scheduled Central Second Division fixture between champions Glasgow Perthshire and promotion hopefuls East Kilbride Thistle at Keppoch Park has been postponed and will now be played on Saturday, May 6 (2pm).

TODAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm)

McBookie.com Super Premier Division: Troon v Beith, Arthurlie v Glenafton, Hurlford Utd v Auchinleck Talbot, Rob Roy v Kilbirnie Ladeside.

McBookie.com Super First Division. Irvine Vics v Maryhill, Rutherglen Glencairn v Irvine Meadow, Kilsyth Rangers v Girvan, Petershill v Clydebank, Renfrew v Shotts Bon Accord,Yoker Athletic v Blantyre Vics.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Thorniewood Utd v Cambuslang Rangers, Vale of Clyde v Greenock, Lesmahagow v Bellshill Athletic, Forth Wanderers v Benburb, Johnstone Burgh v St Roch's, Neilston v Larkhall Thistle.

McBookie.com Central Second Division: Newmains Utd v Port Glasgow, Gartcairn v Ashfield, Dunipace v Lanark Utd, Glasgow Perthshire v East Kilbride Thistle.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League: Craigmark v Maybole, Dalry Thistle v Annbank Utd, Darvel v Muirkirk.

Central League Cup second round: Carluke Rovers v Rossvale.