MIDFIELD ace Robbie Crawford says Saturday simply can't come quickly enough as Ayr United aim to banish the disappointment of defeat.

The Honest Men saw their three-game league unbeaten run implode in spectacular style a week past on Saturday when they lost 5-0 to Queen of the South at Palmerston Park. This came after they had taken seven points from their first possible nine to leave them joint-top of the table.

Crawford, who came through the Academy system into the first team, said: "It was really disappointing as we didn't play well. It was a really off-day and everything that could have gone wrong went wrong.

"I know we were going to get beaten at some point but it was still a hard one to take."

Now after a week's break from competitive action, he is raring to go again as United host Falkirk on Saturday, although he expects a tough task.

The player added: "In some ways it's good to have a break as it's been hectic. But I really wanted to get the defeat out of my system and we obviously couldn't do that on Saturday as there was no game.

"But we look forward to the Falkirk match, but it will be tough as they have a new manager (Ray McKinnon) and the players will have a point to prove. We are focusing on ourselves. Hopefully as well we can attract a good crowd."

Crawford is impressed with the squad and had offers to move elsewhere in the summer but opted to stay and said: "I could easily could have moved on but I like the squad here and the guys get on really well, we win together and lose together. We all work really well and it was because so many from last season's squad re-signed that I stayed."

Meanwhile Crawford is relishing the trip to Ibrox for a Betfred Cup quarter-final clash with boyhood team Rangers on Wednesday, September 26.

He said: "It's a bonus to still be involved in the cup and we look forward to the game, but we are focusing on the other matches first."

Boss Ian McCall is counting down the days to the Falkirk showdown.

He said: "It's a very important game and we haven't been too sore on the boys as they had done so well leading up to the Queens match. We have to really go at Falkirk. Wins are very important in this league, you can't see one team win eight, nine or 10 in a row. I'm sure we will get a good turnout.

Danny Harvie is suspended but everyone else is available.