QUEEN'S PARK boss Gardner Speirs is determined not to let the suspension of skipper Stuart Kettlewell derail his side's bid for consolidation in the Irn-Bru Second Division.

A Hampden victory over Cowdenbeath would put the Spiders 11 points clear of the second-bottom Blue Brazil with only four games remaining.

However, with Robert Dunn, Mick Dunlop, Paul Ronald and Ricky Sinclair also out, it is an under-strength QP who will attempt to rubber-stamp their survival bid.

Speirs said: "Regardless of our injury and suspension concerns, we are on the back of a four-game winning run and we go into this one in confident mood and determined to close the deal.

"For Cowdenbeath, the onus is really all on them. I don't think at this stage, with us eight points in front of them, that they can come to Hampden and sit in to play for a draw.

"So they will have to have a go at us and that should mean there will be more space for us to exploit. If we can get the win tonight, it would be a very big ask for them to win all four of their games and us not to pick up a point."

Indeed, after tonight's relegation six-pointer, Cowden face promotion play-off chasing Alloa, second-placed Airdrie and champions-elect Ross County, before a final fixture visit from Queen's, so a home win for Speirs' men would seem certain to keep the Spiders safe.

In the Irn-Bru Third Division, Dumbarton boss Jim Chapman has ordered his Sons to become upwardly mobile by taking three points from the visit of Forfar, that would take them into seventh spot and above Albion Rovers.

Chappie said: "We are looking to get in front of Rovers, so we have all the incentive we need. I am determined to finish the season on as positive a note as possible."