CUMNOCK face a relegation dogfight at home to Kilbirnie tomorrow as both sides fight it out to avoid the drop.

Nock gaffer John McKeown has finally admitted that tomorrows basement battle is a six-pointer.

The Townhead Park side host Kilbirnie and with neither team in particularly impressive form, a win could be pivotal for either side.

A Nock win would send them five points clear but Kilbirnie have four games in hand.

With games fast running out for McKeown's - with just four games left to play - the gaffer has finally reluctantly admitted that it is a must win match.

He said: "I hate that term, I see all games as must win, but it's getting to that stage of the season where I probably have to agree."

McKeown took over the helm following Brian McLuckie's departure in October.

But it has been a difficult start for the former Wishaw boss. He said: "The expectations here at Cumnock are high and we need to stay in this league. It was a really difficult time to come in to the club and signing players has proved a lot more difficult than I thought it would.

"Now we are at a tough part of our season. I think it's all psychological. If we win we move five clear and that puts the pressure back on to Kilbirnie to string wins together, and as we know that's difficult in the league. We just have to take each game as it comes and try and get points on the board.

"Hopefully we get a good crowd out tomorrow to spur us on. You can sense frustration kicking in among them and we are right there just as frustrated as they are.

"The boys are up for it and if we get the win and take care of our own business then we give ourselves a good chance of staying up."

Tomorrows game is at Townhead Park with a 2pm kick off.