Queens go in to this Saturday’s match against Alloa having not been beaten by the Wasps all season.

This record is something Doonhamers boss Jim McIntyre hopes to continue but he knows that this time around it will be even more difficult to beat Barry Smith’s side.

Queens have racked up two victories and a draw this season against the team from Recreation Park, scoring six goals and only conceding one in the process.

He said: “We’ve had good results against Alloa this year but it’s completely different playing them at this stage of the season.

“They’ve got a new Manager now and everyone will be out to impress him so that they can help cement their place in his team.

“At this stage of the season it’s fair to say that you look at all of your games as being potential six-pointers, that’s how important each match is.

“Of course you always want to beat the teams around you but with fewer games to go every match is vital to help push the team on.”

McIntyre also praised Alloa for their transition from the third tier of Scottish football in to the Championship – following in the footsteps of Queens.

He said: “It’s never easy going up and settling in to a league but both ourselves and Alloa have a good mix in our sides.

“When you have experienced players – who have predominantly played at a high level – alongside young players then you tend to see successful teams.

“Often part-time teams need seasoned professionals who have played full-time football at some point in their career to help them progress in a new league, and Alloa have that.”

The Queens gaffer also touched on the news that Stephen McKenna was facing a season-ending operation stating that the midfielder and the club were going on advice from the physio.

He said: “Stephen was feeling a lot of pain earlier in the week and it looks like he’ll have an operation to try and fix it, which would unfortunately rule him out of the rest of the season.”

Queens travel to Recreation Park this Saturday to face seventh placed Alloa in the SPFL Championship.