Raith Rovers head to Livingston hoping for the win that will set up a mouthwatering top-of-the-table clash with Dundee in the New Year.
The Kirkcaldy club sit four points off league leaders Dundee but will face the Dark Blues at Stark’s Park on Thursday, which makes a good result at Almondvale all the more important as they aim to keep up with the Championship pace.
It will be far from easy for the Fife side though as they come up against a Livingston team rejuvenated under former Raith boss John McGlynn who are unbeaten in their last four league games.
Nevertheless, defender Dougie Hill says Rovers are focused on bouncing back from the concession of a last-gasp equaliser at home to Cowdenbeath last week which cost them two points in the title race.
“Four points isn’t a massive gap but it would have been good to have won on Saturday and kept it at two points when they come here next week,” he said.
“People think Dundee might spend in the window so we want to stay as close to them as possible. We need to get the points at Livingston to make sure the gap doesn’t get any bigger.”
Rovers have not enjoyed the greatest of records at Livingston in recent years but did manage a 3-2 win on the final day of last season, and can take confidence from the fact they have already beaten them 1-0 at Stark’s Park earlier this term.
Gordon Smith scored the only goal of the game on that occasion, when Livi’s Danny Denholm was also shown a straight red for a reckless challenge on Rovers winger Grant Anderson.
Anderson is facing a race against time to be fit for this afternoon’s clash in West Lothian but has returned to training following a knee injury and could well be in Rovers boss Grant Murray’s plans.
Defender Laurie Ellis and striker Greig Spence remain doubtful after picking up injuries against Cowdenbeath last week, while Joe Cardle misses out as he serves the second game of his two-match suspension.