Jim Jefferies on Thursday

The Pars manager feels that it is just results that are missing and Saturday can see a change of fortunes:-

"What is encouraging about the games is that we have played well enough to take more points. There is no doubt about that and when you consider some of the clear cut chances that we have had it is just that nobody can put the ball in the back of the net.

"They are working hard, playing some great football, creating chances but particularly in modern day football the first goal is always important. We have had a few chances to score the first goal but have always got punished for not scoring. As long as the players' confidence doesn't drop. Right now we need to give them as much support as we can just to believe in keeping it going.

"Like all teams we would like to create more chances. When you have not taken chances, defenders and midfield players need to be more vigilant because there is no doubt that we are guilty of giving away easy goals. They have got to do their job but you can't blame people at the back for missing chances.

"Michael Moffat has been scoring goals for Ayr and in training you see him battering away goal after goal. There was a chance came across on Tuesday in the first half for him but he just didn't get enough on his header. They are not meaning to miss them, but maybe there is that bit of anxiety to score in a big game like that.

"Tuesday night was really disappointing since I thought we totally outplayed Falkirk. They got a couple of soft goals from my point of view. We came back and it made for an exciting finish. There was plenty effort, plenty waves of attack, plenty balls into the box but unfortunately we were not on the end of enough of them."

While Tuesday night was a let down for the fans as well as the players and management JJ praised their loyalty:-

"The crowd have stuck with us and it is always better to play when the players have the backing that they have been given. League tables are very false at this stage; it is not nice seeing your name down in eighth place but see where we are after ten or twelve games. The aim is to be in a position where we are comfortable going into the next phase."

Jim Jefferies disagreed that Petrofac Training Cup exit was a relief since it was the league that matters:-

"I wouldn't say that. We entered the competition, knocked out the holders and wanted to win the game against Falkirk. We should have won it but we let Falkirk off the hook. Credit for letting them take advantage of that but maybe we are a little guilty for letting them.

"We want the games to come thick and fast. It is a busy period and without a huge squad the four injuries we had on Tuesday night cut our options down. Andy Stirling was earmarked to play but went over on his ankle in training. Ryan Wallace, Alex Whittle and Gregor Buchanan were a big miss."

The manager is optimistic that Gregor Buchanan will be fit to face his former team on Saturday. It will all depend upon a fitness test on Friday but he is the only one on the injury list that could make the match against Airdrieonians.