CAUTIOUS Ayr United boss Ian McCall is still playing down talk of a title challenge - despite his side celebrating another impressive win.

United remain in second place after defeating the manager's former club Partick Thistle 1-0 courtesy of a late Michael Rose goal.

Asked if the Honest Men were in with a chance of winning the Ladbrokes Championship McCall said: "First of all we have to aim for the 40 points target which would make us safe and we can't look to far ahead."

On the game he said: "It looked like it was going to be 0-0 but we we had four or five decent chances and at least one really good claims for a penalty but we don't seem to ge them. But the players never stop and we were desperate to get the three points. Just before we scored I was about to put Craig McGuffie on. We brought Steven Bell on and he was great."

Once again the boss was delighted with the backing given by fans and he added: "It was alike a home game for us with nearly 1000 fans there from Ayr. When I came we had only 600 home fans. There is an expectancy level that we should come to Firhill and win and come 3pm it's an even playing field and I back my team against most. We will take the three points and move on."

The boss admits his team face a testing week, with second bottom Alloa Athletic visiting Somerset Park tonight (Tuesday) and a trip east to face basement team Falkirk scheduled for Saturday.

He said: "We had a good win at Alloa earlier in the season but we have no divine right to win football games. Our home record has been excellent and I will be looking for another good performance on Tuesday, hopefully we can take the three points."

Saturday's clash will also be a test, according to the Ayr boss who said: "Falkirk are a bigger club than us and I reckon we still go there as underdogs. But we are going there to win."

Meanwhile striker Craig Moore, who returned to the starting line-up at Firhill added: "I'm delighted with the win, the boys stuck by each other and put the effort in, it was hard game to see out. I always fight to keep my place in the team.

"Even if you're in the starting line-up you're pushing on because you know someone is there to try and take your space. We aim to finish high as possible but have to keep each game as it comes. In every game you look for three points. As long as I'm helping the team I'm happy."