EXPERIENCED defender Craig Reid is confident Ayr United can bounce back from a three-game losing streak by overcoming visitiors Alloa Athletic in a home League One clash on Saturday.

And he is confident that new signing and former team-mate Lawrence Shankland, who scored a goal on his debut in the 2-1 defeat away to Raith Rovers will make a big impact on the squad.

Reid, who has recovered from a ligament injury which saw him miss the early part of the season, was disappointed to return from Kirkcaldy with nothing to show for the team's efforts.

However he can take a lot of positives from the display.

The former Motherwell man said: "We had been hoping to take something from the game but I felt we played well against a very strong side who expect will be up there challenging at the end of the season. Chances were missed and had we taken them we would have got something from the game. But we have a good squad of players and I'm sure we will pick up."

He added: "I know Lawrence Shankland as he was on loan at St Mirren when I was there. He can score goals, which will be helpful since Craig Moore is out injured. He has played at a high level and should do well for us."

Looking ahead to Saturday: "It will be a test against Alloa, who will be out to take a scalp like the other teams who come to Somerset. But we are looking to pick up three points."

Meanwhile manager Ian McCall was proud of his team despite the result, with five players out injured for the important game.

He said: "It should have been a win, in my three years here I have never been as proud of my team.

In the first half we were in the ascendancy and most of the second half we dominated.

"Our goalie made two errors, he should have saved both. We had five or six chances to score in the second half but didn't take them. Lawrence Shankland played well but he has hardly played any footbal and his calves were cramping so I took him off. Lawrence will be a good addition - there's no doub the is a good player. We play Alloa on Saturday and if we play like we did on Saturday against other teams we will win football matches."