Shettleston finished their league campaign as the lowest scoring side in the Super Premier Division.

Yet they may well be forced into a gung-ho game plan to retain their top-flight status.

That’s because the unavailability of a handful of regulars threatens to leave the famous old Glasgow outfit with no other option ahead of hosting tonight's visit of Kilwinning Rangers in the Super League play-off first leg contest tonight.

Suspensions rule out cornerstone defenders Ross Dickson, Danny Boyle and Ryan Frances while another backline stalwart Kyle McGuigan is a definite non- starter along with injured forward Ryan McCrone (hamstring).

One-time Clyde stopper Frances will be ban-free for Friday night’s second leg at Abbey Park.

However, his return will be offset by the unavailability of midfielder Brian McEwan through family commitments.

Hugh Kelly has appointed ex-Annan Athletic pair Peter Weatherstone and Ryan McStay to oversee team matters for the double-header.

And if they opt for a Town attacking mindset, then the likelihood is that burly front man Scott Anson will be asked to form a striking spearhead alongside Rikky McIntosh or Keigan Parker .

Scott said: "The majority of our playing squad have been together through back-to-back promotions on our journey into the top league and it would be a real sickener for us to go back down now.

“People have said we should never be in this situation, but the league table rarely lies and this is the price to pay a whole heap of mistakes over the season.

“Thankfully, we have this final chance to show we deserve to be a Super Premier side next season and we owe it to the club, our fans and not least of all ourselves to grab it with both hands.

“It’s far from ideal to be missing so many key players but the likes of Reece McGillion and James McArthur are more than capable of stepping into the breach and doing their bit for the team .

“Peter and Ryan have come in with good ideas and training routines but now comes a massive test of their managerial qualities and I just hope they decide on having a real go at the Buffs.

“By all accounts they are a big and physically powerful outfit, but no team can say they have bullied us into submission this season and our dressing room fancies we can lift ourselves for the challenge of these final two games.”

Shettleston have been idle for fully four weeks and Anson reckons this is a disadvantage.

He added: "Only someone who has never played the game can think resting up for over a month can work in a team’s favour.

“There’s no doubt our competitive edge is not what it should be against a team that has been playing up to three games each week so it’s far from a level playing field but we have to try and hit the ground running and see where it gets us.

Kilwinning gaffer Chris Strain reports his playing squad in decent fettle ahead of their trip through to the East End of Glasgow.

He said: "The guys were all disappointed to miss out on automatic promotion, however winning our final three league games instilled a bit of belief into our ranks.

"And I get the feeling everyone is focused on making the most of this lifeline.

“Shettleston are nobody’s fools and will test our ambition, but we gained valuable experience of what is needed in a double-header following our Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Beith and I’m confident of meeting their challenge head on.

“We know of the threat posed by Anson and big Bob Campbell down the left flank and our aim is to keep them quiet and ensure promotion is still up for grabs at Abbey Park on Friday night.”

In other games, Pollok are overwhelming favourites to clinch a place in next week’s Euroscot Eng Central League Cup Final when hosting the visit of Larkhall Thistle in their last-four clash.

One-time Lok legend Dunky Sinclair is assured of a warm welcome from home supporters, but it may not be a case of Many Happy Returns for Sinky if the script goes according to the form book and Pollok emerge as clear winners.

Lok boss Tony McInally revealed: "Chris Walker is a definite non-starter, but otherwise we are at full strength which is just as well because this competition always throws up shocks and we can take nothing for granted against Larkhall.”

The remaining semi-final has St Anthony's, motivated by the prospect of a cup final send-off for outgoing boss James McKenna, taking on Greenock.

PLAYING TONIGHT: (Kick-offs 7.30pm): Super League Play-Off First Leg. Shettleston v Kilwinning Rangers. Euroscot Eng Central League Cup, semi-finals.Pollok v Larkhall Thistle, St Anthony's v Greenock.