Queen's Park ready for crunch double header with Albion as play-offs loom

Apr 14 2010 By Fraser Wilson

Richard Sinclair

QUEEN'S PARK boss Gardner Speirs reckons his side have hit form just in time for their make-or-break double header with Albion Rovers as the race for the play-offs hits top gear.

The Spiders sit four points ahead of Rovers in the final play-off spot - but having played a game more.

And with only four matches remaining the back-to-back clashes with Rovers - at Coatbridge on Saturday and then Hampden on Tuesday - take on a vital importance.

Spiers, whose side were held to a goal less draw at Stranraer on Saturday, said: "There's no doubt the two Albion Rovers games are hugely important.

"We need to take something from the games. We are playing well right throughout the team and have managed to find the consistency that we did not have earlier in the season.

"I wouldn't say it's a negative having to face them twice in four days - maybe ask me that after the second match!

"The good thing for me is that, after a poor first quarter of the season, we have improved our performance and given ourselves a chance of making the play offs."

Speirs watched Albion in action against Stranraer on Monday night - a match they won 3-1 - and was impressed but not surprised with what he saw. However, Rovers lost a return with Stranraer on Wednesday night leaving them trailing in the play-off shakedown.

"Their strengths are very much based around team work," said Speirs.

"They work hard and try to play football aswell. But we can't worry about them we just have to make sure we perform as we have been doing.

"We must be disciplined and keep up the standards we have set recently."

Spiers is hopeful James Brough and David Murray can shake off nocks to be fit for Saturday's clash at Coatbridge.

Long term absentees Richard Sinclair, pictured, Martin Ure and Paul Harkins remain sidelined as does Frankie Carroll.