GUS MacPHERSON is aiming to achieve something today that has so far eluded Queen's Park - get one over league leaders Albion Rovers.

The teams have met three times in the league and once on cup duty, with the Spiders coming off second best on every occasion.

The results effectively confirm the league standings; Albion are at the forefront of the race for the Championship while Queen's are chasing them down.

With just four points between the teams, this afternoon would be the ideal opportunity for MacPherson's side to get that win.

Shaun Rooney and James Baty are set to miss the game, but other than that, there is a full squad available to the Hampden boss.

"There is very little between us and the games have all be settled by the one goal," he said. "It is a very fine line.

"If they beat us then they will feel that they have put one hand on the championship. But if we could come out of the game with a result, then it would really give us a push.

"I think we are definitely on course to make the play-offs, which is great, but so long as the chance is there to go and win the league outright then there is no doubt that is what our aim is.

"I watched Albion's midweek game at Arbroath, and they got the early goal and then defended with their lives. They have players who love to do that and are very good at it.

"So, in many ways, I think the first goal is crucial this afternoon. If we can get it, then it will give us something to hold on to."

And MacPherson believes the confidence within his squad just now is enabling his players to enjoy playing with a certain amount of freedom.

"They are a very determined group," he said. "They have come on leaps and bounds, and that is shown by just where we are in the table.

"They are relaxed just now because the pressure really is off us. We have surprised a few people, but it is all about trying to maintain that consistency as we go into the last few weeks of the season."