Morton duo miss out

Posted Saturday, May 01, 2010 by PA

Kevin McKinlay and Jim McAlister are out of Morton manager James Grady's plans for their winner-takes-all clash with bottom side Ayr.

Full-back McKinlay and winger McAllister are both sidelined after picking up knocks.

Cappielow will be a tense place as Morton look to get the points that will see them finish in eighth place and end their season without the need for relegation play-off games.

They also know that if they lose by 3-0 or more and Airdrie pick up a point, they face automatic relegation.

Grady said: "Ayr showed a lot of spirit against Ross County and were unlucky to go down 1-0, so I know we will be in a game. A win will see us safe with an eighth-place finish which is two places higher than when I started."

Ayr boss Brain Reid has been left with only 11 fit senior players for their most important game of the season at Morton.

Kevin James, Rocky Visconte, Willie Easton, Chris Mitchell, Kenny Connolly, Ryan Borris and Tam McManus are ruled out while Andy Aitken is struggling to make it.

The substitute bench will be made up of players from the club's under-19 squad.

Reid said: "In situations like this you just have to get on with things.

"A draw gets us nothing and a win may help us get to the play-offs so we have to attack."