Chris Strain has urged his Kilwinning Rangers players to stand up and be counted if they want to avoid crashing out of the ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup on Saturday.

The Buffs - drawn at home for a sixth time in this season’s competition - await the visit to Abbey Park of the sole East Region survivors Camelon for an eagerly awaited quarter-final showdown that could attract one of the biggest crowds of the day.

Supporters are anxious and fretting because the Ayrshire cracks have failed to win over 90 minutes since their 4-1 last round crushing of Linlithgow Rose.

However, former player Strainy attributes this loss of form to his charges having one eye on the last-eight clash.

He said: "Several of our guys only stepped up to this level last close season, while the more seasoned types are arguably playing in the biggest game of their Junior careers.

"So it’s understandable for them to have one eye on the cup game.

“Our game management has been particularly poor and we need to get it back to where it was before or else suffer the consequences.

“And I’ll only be prepared to forgive and forget if their focus is back come Saturday afternoon ahead of taking on a Camelon side sprinkled with players capable of causing us problems unless we are at our best.

“Playing in front of our own fans offers a terrific boost as they acted like a 12th man in roaring us home against Linlithgow and hopefully their backing can do the trick again, though we simply cannot expect to turn up and win because of having home advantage.

”Our great cup run has been cobbled together through playing the game instead of the occasion and that message will be reinforced before kick-off time.”

Strain has injury concerns with midfield playmaker Liam McGuinness recovering from a hamstring strain.

However, an even greater worry surrounds commanding stopper Martyn Campbell who will be given until the last minute to shake of a calf muscle injury that has him rated extremely doubtful for the last eight tie.

The Buffs gaffer added: "It’s a tad ironic to think Martyn could miss out given he is only available after appealing against an automatic suspension for being recently red-carded in a game against Cumbernauld United, but he wanted to contest it so we have gone along with his wishes.

“Chopping and changing can affect fluency so hopefully both players are passed fit because this is yet another opportunity to go and express ourselves and make a statement of intent.

"Kilwinning Rangers may be the lowest ranked side still in the cup but we are a club on the up again.”

The Buffs have failed to score in only two outings since Strain took up the Abbey Park reins almost two years ago and the firepower at his beck and call this season includes veteran campaigner Ian Cashmore.

Unbelievably, though, he is entering unknown territory having never gone further than the Scottish last 16 during a chequered career.

Time is running out for 33-year-old Cashy to get his hands on the Holy Grail and he is quietly confident of taking another step closer to his dream.

He admitted: "Kilwinning are my home town team and I came here from Winton Rovers during the summer months thinking this might be a last hurrah but never did I imagine coming close to a cup final appearance.

“I’ve played more as a substitute so my striking return is a meagre eight goals to date and I’ve yet to net in any of our cup games, so Camelon would be a good time to notch just as long as Kilwinning come out on top.

“ Despite my lack of games, I’ve enjoyed being part of this playing squad and I’m working hard to stay fit for the day when I might be called upon.

“People say I’m not the same player because of losing my pace, but truth is I never ever had pace and my game was all about having an eye for goal - and that’s as keen as ever.”

Dangerman in the Camelon line up is another old-stager - 37-year-old Colin Allison, whose partnership alongside David Grant pose an attacking threat according to ex-Mariners gaffer Danny Smith who was in charge when the East Region outfit lost in the 2014 semi-finals to Glenafton.

He said: "My old team have blown hot and cold this season, but their 4-1 victory over Kelty Hearts in the last round shows what they can do.

“Allison and Grant ran Kelty ragged and I fancy they can pinch a goal or two and Camelon have other top Juniors in Alan Benton and Derek Ure who will not be found wanting on the day...even if it is a trip into Ayrshire.”