Airdrie United 3 - 1 Ayr United

Black braced for testing times

Updated: October 30, 2009, 10:40 AM UK

Airdrie's beleaguered boss Kenny Black will remain in the dugout as the Diamonds welcome fellow strugglers Ayr to New Broomfield.

Should Black's men fail to snap a 13-game winless streak, though, the calls for a change of manager will be difficult to ignore.

But he said: "I can't remember the last time I was able to enjoy a weekend but I am probably speaking for everyone at the club. This is a horrible time for everybody and I know the chairman, directors and fans will be feeling disappointed as it is not good viewing just now.

"The easy way out is to walk away and say you can't do any more but that is not for me.''

Black is not short of problems either, with Marc Smyth struggling with an injury to his pubic bone.

Both Ryan McCann and Scott Gemmill, who is only returning from injury, have had to stay involved with the squad due to lack of numbers but neither are fully fit.

Stephen Robertson, who was sick on the pitch last week, will be fit enough to keep his place.

Ayr boss Brian Reid will revert back to the tried and tested 4-4-2 formation which brought them their promotion success last season.

A 5-1 defeat by Inverness last weekend leaves second bottom Ayr only three points ahead of the winless Diamonds and deep in relegation trouble.

Reid is trying to add to his squad but said: "I keep hitting a brick wall. I am relying on other clubs but just when I thought I had a striker, they are reluctant to let him go at present after a training ground injury to another player. But the search goes on.''

Croatian striker Romeo Filipovic, who has been training with Ayr, is still a possible target but Reid added: "Unfortunately, you can't play foreign trialists in the Reserve League Cup so that is an obvious blow.''

Kevin James, who has missed the last four weeks with Achilles trouble, is still rated double for the trip to Airdrie. Another worry is that Willie Easton has been struggling with a recurring hamstring strain but has been playing on.

Reid revealed: "Willie has not been himself the last couple of weeks but has been playing when he shouldn't have been because we are down to the bare bones. He feels he has been letting himself down but Willie is one of our most consistent players.''