Thistle boss Stuart Davidson has said he can't fault the commitment of his players, and has urged them to carry on the same intensity against McBookie.com Premier leaders Glenafton on Saturday.

It is a 2pm kick-off at Barrfields Park. 

Largs were unfortunate to lose out to a late goal in their Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup clash at Cumnock, but scored twice, and the club are in good fettle going into the massive league game.

With Thistle requiring a win against the league leaders at all costs, the only absentee is likely to be Alan Gilbride who has a hamstring injury.

The Barrfields men are sitting second bottom of the Premier and with two teams going down, and third bottom securing a play-off, a win is essential to Thistle's survival hopes. Indeed, victory would see Largs move to third bottom for the first time all season.

Stuart said: "It is a big ask to get a win against Glenafton, especially as they are a team with momentum, and they have been getting wins all season, and this is why they are challenging for the league. But if we can show the effort and commitment which we have been putting into games since the turn of the year, and cut out the mistakes, we could do it."

"We performed not too badly against Cumnock, we put in a low of effort and commitment, and I felt we were unlucky to get beat.

"To be honest, it was a couple of mistakes which cost us and it was individual errors. If you cut them out, I thought we deserved to win the game."

"The second goal took a divot - they have rugby goals at the park, and it was one of those divots which resulted in the ball deflecting over Sean for one of the goals. The other goals were defendable.

"I have to say the boys showed good character and we kept fighting back. It was a good header from Kevin Struthers, and a good strike from Gary Fleming."

The Thistle manager praised Nicky Jamieson, who had been away working in America, and got off his flight that morning before heading to the Cumnock match.

Looking back at the recent Glenafton defeat, Stuart said: "A lot of decisions went against us that day, and you could argue that we had some bad luck, but I am a great believer that you have to earn your luck in this game, and overcome these things. If you are not getting the decisions, and the breaks, it should just encourage you to work harder and not throw in the towel."

Thistle midfielder Glenn Thomson is available after taking part in a coaching course, while Robert Love also returns to the squad. Gilbride is back in training, although is still a couple of weeks away from returning.

Thistle play their West of Scotland Cup third round game at home to Roy Roy on Saturday April 8.

* Largs Thistle have announced the details of their big annual fundraiser, the sportsmen’s dinner, which will welcome a footballing great in Jimmy Nicholl. The dinner takes place on Saturday 29 April at Nardini’s with a 7.30pm kick-off. Tickets available from the committee.