A MAJOR injury crisis faces Ayr United ahead of Saturday's crunch Championship game against Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park.

Paul Cairney is ruled out along with Declan McDaid and Ross Docherty, Craig Adams and Craig Moore only have a "50-50" chance of making it.

The news comes after the Honest Men went down 4-1 at home to a Falkirk side who struck two late goals as the hosts were pushing for an equaliser.

Meanwhile manager Ian McCall and striker Farid El Alagui this week stressed the team would have to start grinding out victories as we enter the final quarter of the season.

McCall said: "Falkirk deserved to win the game but I didn't think it was a 4-1 as we played really well in the second half. I thought Robbie Crawford had a good game. We pushed five players upfront and that was when they caught us with a couple of sucker punches."

Looking ahead he said: "People say there are nine games left but that's still quite a lot. We are going into the last quarter and we have to start winning some games. If we beat we move four points behind them so that has to be the target. We have already drawn there this season so we will be looking for another good performance."

Meanwhile El Alagui said: "In the first half I felt we struggled. But in the second half we started to play a lot better and worked right from the start. We must start winning games. We conceded a couple of silly goals and must stop making mistakes. Alan Forrest came on and had a lot of energy, he helped change the game for us and it was a good goal we scored."

Looking ahead he said: "It will be a tough game and we are looking for a minimum of a point but ideally three."

Meanwhile on the Junior Football front, former Ayr fans' favourite Ryan Stevenson has been linked with a move to Troon FC after announcing his retirement from senior football.

The midfielder, who has been at Raith Rovers this season, said on Instagram on Thursday he was hanging up his boots and gloves following a recent goalkeeping stint.

Troon boss Gordon Burns said: "Ryan Stevenson is still with Raith Rovers but if he becomes available we would be interested in talking to him as he is a real quality player."

Saturday sees Whitletts Vics host Ardrossan Winton Rovers in a top-of-the-table clash.

Vics boss Neil Duffy said: "We must look to win the game if we want to get promotion."