WISHAW captain Paul McGeough says he and his team-mates are desperate to avoid a spot of bother when hosting promotion rivals Neilston in a vital Central First Division clash on Saturday.

Monday night’s 4-0 defeat of Forth Wanderers through goals from Jason Thomson (2), KB Grant and Michael Collinder kept alive hopes of the Lanarkshire outfit closing a 17-point gap (Wishaw have six games in hand) and pipping fourth-placed Neilston to a promotion play-off game against either Maryhill or Shettleston.

McGeough & Co are ready to make the most of their shot at glory but know they must avoid succumbing to a second defeat in two weeks by the Farmers Boys who would then boast an uncatchable 55 points mark.

The 26-year-old said: "A victory over Neilston affords us a bit of breathing space while a draw would leave us having to win our remaining six games so we have to give this game everything we’ve got.

“Our previous meeting ended in a 4-2 defeat at the Brig O’Lea however you cannot judge the teams on what can only be described as a farcical affair of four penalty kicks that should never have been awarded in the first place – three for Neilston and all scored by their striker Paul Stewart.

“Memories of that game are understandably still raw and should add a bit of spice to what is shaping up as a make-or-break 90 minutes for both clubs.”

One-time Pollok boss Rab Sneddon, charged with looking after team affairs in the interim for managerless Wishaw along with experienced Junior campaigner Paul Burns and Kevin Grant, has a full playing squad to choose, which is in sharp contrast to his Neilston counterpart Martin Campbell who is staring at the prospect of four regular picks being posted missing.

Marty revealed: “Craig Patterson is away on holiday and Steven Docherty, already struggling to recover from a groin strain injury, is away at a family wedding.

“Add injury concerns over Keiran McDade and Alan Diack which saw both players on the treatment table all week but still rated doubtful at best and you will see we don’t have our selection problems to seek.

“However, this is our very own cup final and I’m pretty confident we will put out a Neilston team prepared to give every last ounce of energy in search of the three points to take us up.

“What I find galling is Wishaw having all these games left to play yet we were forced to cram 11 games into a four weeks schedule that not surprisingly took its toll on the players and led to points being dropped.”

Meanwhile, word on the transfer front has it that Wishaw midfielder McGeough may shortly be departing the Juniors whether his club are promoted or not.

News of his former gaffer John Brogan being installed as the new manager of Albion Rovers yesterday fuelled rumours of the ex-St Johnstone scoring legend, who has been managing in the Juniors for just over 20 years, making a signing raid on The Beltane to lure away some of his erstwhile players and it’s believed McGeough is firmly in his sights.

Brogey is also thought to be keen on brothers Dan and Dean Kindlan but they have supposedly committed their futures to Queen's Park while goalkeeper Sandy Thomson is allegedly the subject of a signing approach from Super Premier new boys Cambuslang Rangers.

One also hears another ex-Wishaw boss, Chris McGroarty, is one of the names being considered to fill the vacancy at Shotts Bon Accord whose safety from relegation will be secured if they overcome Yoker Athletic at Holm Park tonight.

Also rumoured to be in the running for the Shotts post is Davie Greig, John McKeown and the relatively inexperienced Robert Sneddon whose "shoestring" feat in steering Bellshill Athletic to promotion this season has caught the eye of Hannah Park club officials.

PLAYING TONIGHT(Kick Offs 7.30PM): McBookie.com Central First Division. Thorniewood Utd v Forth Wanderers , Yoker Athletic v Shotts Bon Accord..McBookie.com Ayrshire District League.Saltcoats Vics v Ardeer Thistle. Ayrshire Cup.2nd Round.Girvan v Beith. Semi Final.Kilbirnie Ladeside v Largs Thistle.Central League Cup 3rd Round. Blantyre Vics v Rob Roy , Cumbernauld Utd v Shettleston.