FORM team Ayr United's joy at extending their unbeaten run to 10 games ahs been slightly soured by the fact that key midfielder Brian Gilmour faces up to six weeks on the sidelines.

But manager Ian McCall and skipper Nicky Devlin have praised the team following their 1-0 victory away to Stenhousemuir which kept them a point behind leaders Dunfermline Athletic.

Devlin was able to play the game after the club successfully appealed his red card in the game away to Forfar Athletic a week past on Saturday.

And he is delighted with the progress of the team.

The defender told Sportscene on Monday: "We are on a great run and that was an important victory for us on Saturday.

"If you had told the nager at the start of the season we would be unbeaten in 10 games, I'm sure he would have taken it. I was really pleased

to win the appeal as I don't think it was a sending off against Forfar, it was harsh.

"But the referee agreed after reviewing the decision and it was great I had the chance to play.

"We have a tough game against Stranraer on Saturday. They have not started well but I am sure they will come good.

"Our away form has been good, but we are looking to improve our results at home, so hopefully we can pick up three points.

"We are all really working well as a team and that's the secret of our success so far, " he continued.

Meanwhile, Gilmour could be missing for between four and six weeks after sufering a hamstring injury in the game.

McCall  admits he will be missed and said 2Brian is such a key player for us and has been excellent in recent weeks.

"Hopefully Peter Murphy and Craig Moore could come in if they are back from injury."

The manager is impressed with progress and said: "We could have won a lot more easily had we taken some of our other chances.

"But it was important to pick up three points - although it shows you how well Dunfermline are oing that we are unbeaten in 10 games and still not top of the table.

"We beat Stranraer down theere but it was not easy."