QUEEN'S PARK boss Gardner Speirs today admitted that a former charge was the architect of his side's destruction as the Glasgow side were beaten 0-3 at home against Ayr.

Former Partick Thistle striker Mark Roberts, whom Speirs was in charge of in his time as No2 at Firhill, scored one and created the other two as Ayr United cranked up their Irn-Bru Division Two title challenge with a comprehensive win at Hampden.

And with his side facing a quick-fire return against the Honest Men at Somerset Park on Wednesday, Speirs admitted: "Their strikers, and Mark Roberts in particular, gave our defence a torrid time.

"Marko has always had a great football brain and a superb touch.

"What we must do now is learn from that before Wednesday.

"We have got to tighten up at the back and try and take something at Somerset Park and this will be a real test of our character."

The Spiders are now marooned in second bottom place, five points off eighth placed Arbroath.

Meanwhile, in the Irn-Bru Third Division Albion Rovers boosted their play-off hopes with a hard fought 2-1 victory over Annan thanks to goals from Ciaran Donnelly.

And delighted Rovers boss Paul Martin said: "It was a brilliant result for us and one that takes us to within three points off the fourth play-off place.

"I can't fault our attitude and now if we can add that bit of consistency we will give ourselves a chance."

Elsewhere, Dumbarton suffered a damaging 3-1 defeat against East Stirling at Firs Park which leaves them fourth placed in the league.

Raging Sons boss Chapman blamed referee Colin Brown, saying: "We had to chase the game because of bad decisions."