DETERMINED defender Paddy Boyle is going all out to help Ayr United knock former club Dunfermline Athletic off the top of the table on Saturday.

United swept into top spot in Ladbrokes SPFL League One last Tuesday, following a 5-2 home win against Stenhousemuir.

However the Pars returned to the summit on Saturday, following a hugely impressive 4-0 win away to second-placed Forfar Athletic on Saturday.

Now United know if they win at East End Park on Saturday they will be back in pole position.

Boyle (28), who played with the Pars in the Premier Division, is impressed with United’s progress and said: “Our two strikers Jordan Preston and Craig Moore are on fire and they both played really well against Stenhousemuir last week. We have had a busy schedule so it was nice to have Saturday off, but we are now looking forward to the Dunfermline game.

“There’s always an edge to games against your old team and you always like to get one over on them. I had a good record against Dunfermline when I was at Airdrie. I would say the pressure is on Dunfermline to win the game as they are a full-time team. We must look to go and win the game and the lads will all be up for it. I am enjoying it here and Ian McCall, the manager is a good coach, I have worked with him before and know what to expect.

“Our aim is to challenge for the title, or at the least go up though the playoffs and there’s a good spirit in the squad.” Meanwhile McCall, who also enjoyed two playing spells at East End Park is savouring the challenge.

He is delighted with his team’s current run of form and said: “When I took over the club was in a mess. But we have won eight and drawn one of our last 11 games and that’s good going. I was delighted with how we played against Stenhousemuir and it was great to score five goals. If if only we hadn’t conceded a last minute goal against Forfar the other week then would have been top of the table. Dunfermline have a big budget and can score goals as we saw on Saturday but so can we and the aim is to go there and win the match. We want to challenge for the title.” Meanwhile Alan Trouten (groin injury) and Martyn Campbell (ankle) are both on the mend, but the manager will wait until later in the week before assessing their fitness for the game.

The manager is still looking for further add to the squad and said: “Ideally we would like a midfielder who can play in wide areas and will look around to see who is available,” Meanwhile the closing event of Campbell’s Testimonial year will be a Brunch on Sunday, September 20 in the Ally MacLeod Suite at Somerset Park.

A very limited number of tickets are available now for public sale from the Club shop, strictly on a first come first served basis from Friday at noon.

Tickets are priced £35 and include a three-course brunch. Speakers for the event are Ricky Hutchison MC, hilarious comedian Sandy Strang and ex Grade one and FIFA referee John Rowbotham.