First division

IT MAY be too early to call this afternoon's match between Airdrie United and Ayr United a relegation six-pointer, but there is little doubt that both sides are in desperate need of the points. Airdrie have yet to record a victory in the league this season and Kenny Black's side are rooted at the bottom of the table.

Having been spared from relegation last season thanks to Livingston's demotion, Black will be desperate to ensure his side stays up on merit this time around. He can take comfort from the fact that his team have picked up three of their four points at home, but his side will need to halt a run of five straight defeats if they are to pick up the three points.

Ayr have struggled on the road this season and have picked up just a single point on their travels. Despite having beaten Raith Rovers and held Dundee to a draw at Dens Park, Brian Reid's men were thrashed 5-1 by Inverness last weekend; a result which is bound to have shaken the already fragile confidence of the Somerset Park squad. United will be hoping that history is on their side however as they have not lost at the Excelsior Stadium since 2001.