IRISH LEAGUE: Dungannon Swifts up for the fight, insists boss Rod McAree

The Swifts earned a vital 1-0 win over basement side Warrenpoint Town on Monday night, and on Saturday they face another relegation showdown when Ballinamallard United visit Stangmore Park.

The Mallards go into the game on the back of a positive result of their own in midweek – a spirited 1-0 win over Portadown.

“They will be buoyed by that result, and we will take confidence from our win over Warrenpoint,” McAree said.

“Monday was a massive win for us. It was a big three points at the foot of the table, but we need to build on it and try and climb the table.

“We are still down there fighting, and there is a long way to go this season.

“All we can do is look after ourselves and try and beat the teams around us.”

It is another pivotal weekend at the foot of the table.

The bottom two – Warrenpoint and Carrick Rangers – meet on Friday night at Seaview, with Dungannon – who sit 10th – entertaining ninth-place Ballinamallard on Saturday.

“It is a huge weekend at the top and bottom of the table,” McAree added.

“All our focus is on getting another win and trying to climb further away from the bottom two spots in the table.

“We will know the Carrick v Warrenpoint result before our game, so that will give us an idea of how the table lies.”