DETERMINED Ayr United skipper Nicky Devlin is aiming to help the side go on a long unbeaten run after suffering a second straight league defeat.

United went down 3-0 away to fourth-placed Peterhead a week after suffering a 1-0 home defeat against leaders Dunfermline Athletic

Devlin made his first start in a month on Saturday after suffering a broken wrist insists there is no need for panic and said: "It's disappointing to lose the last two league games. But you have to put it in perspective as the league defeat against Dunfermline was our first defeat in 15 games and if you had said after we lost to Albion Rovers we would only lose two league games after that I would have bitten your hand off. It's not a crisis - a crisis last season was not winning in 14 or 15 league matches. We have a good spirit in the squad and everyone is working hard."

"It's an important home game against Brechin City on Saturday and we must look to win it and go on another unbeaten run."

Devlin admits he is on the way to full fitness and said: "I still have a split on my wrist but it will come off before long. It was difficult missing three weeks as I was short of match fitness but it's good to be back playing again."

The targets had not changed from the start of the season, the skipper insisted.

He added: "The aim has always been promotion - whether that means by winning the title or going through the playoffs. Dunfermline are favourites but if we win our game in hand we will just be three points behind them."

Manager Ian McCall was disappointed with the result

He could take positives from the display but admitted two of the goals were avoidable and said: "It was a poor result but it's time for cool heads and we have to gather our thoughts. The first goal was a wonder strike but the second and third were poor ones to lose. It's a tough place to go but I would say Peterhead mastered the conditions better than us. Our shooting was poor in the first half although we created some chances. But you have to take them."

The manager added: "We have a massive match coming up on Saturday and want to stay within points of Dunfermline."

McCall is looking to a add a central defender and midfielder/forward to the squad during the January transfer window. But that could mean two players leaving the club.