QP are unbeaten in two outings at the National Stadium, drawing one and winning the other, as they have compiled a six-game resume that boasts only one setback which came at Peterhead via a 1-0 defeat in the last week of August.

It has been that consistency that has led the Amateurs' charge to the top of the pile as they sit in joint pole position with the Blue Toon, with Rangers a point further back.

Speirs said: "Our form in general has been pretty consistent, but Annan will provide a real test of that. They have a good blend of experience and youth.

"Although Annan are in the lower half of the table, they are just five points off the pace and will see this as an oppor-tunity to peg us back.

"But we have been delighted with the start we have made this season, which has been in contrast to the last couple of campaigns where we have started slowly and come on strongly in the second half of the season.

"With Peterhead not playing this weekend we have the chance to establish some daylight between us and them, and that is the target.

"But we know how important it is to take care of business on home soil and Annan will prove a real challenge of our ability to do that."

QP will be without the suspended Andy Robertson.

He said: "We have some good kids coming through from our youth set-up, as always, like Andy Robertson, but still retain a core of exper-ienced operators like Tony Quinn, Richard Sinclair and Ricky Little. So the balance is good."