ARDEER THISTLE boss Sean Kenney believes his side are in an enviable position compared to their rivals - despite currently occupying a relegation spot.

The Stevenston side currently lie third from bottom in the West of Scotland Football League Third Division - the last of the relegation places.

Girvan are one place and two points better off, with Port Glasgow two further points ahead.

Thistle's hopes of clawing back points on their relegation rivals were dashed on Saturday when their match against Lesmahagow had to be abandoned just before the hour mark after one of the visitors' players, Paul Lockwood, suffered a serious leg injury.

It means Thistle now have four games in hand on both Girvan and Port Glasgow as they prepare for a frantic end-of-season run-in which will see Kenney's men play on Wednesday and Saturday each week, including the rescheduled match against Lesmahagow, until the last day on May 18.

But Kenney says he's staying calm about his side's situation as they prepare for the first of those matches, at home to Kilsyth Athletic on Wednesday, May 1.

"If you asked Port Glasgow or Girvan they would both rather be in our position where you can go and get the points," he said.

"It’s in our hands. The last six games are going to be really hard but we've already beaten four of the six teams we have to play.

“You’re in charge of your own destiny. Don’t wait for other people to do it, go do it yourself.

“We are in a lucky position that we can go and do that. Be a hero and go and get the points yourself.”

But that doesn't mean Thistle will be resting on any laurels as they head into the tail end of their campaign.

“We want to get it done as quickly as possible," Kenney added.

“We’ll just work, do the right things and we’ll be okay.

"We just need to take care of what we can take care of. All the basic stuff like working hard and keeping together."

Thistle's last six games will be played over the course of just 18 days - but Kenney says he and his players are relishing the opportunity rather than seeing it as a hindrance.

“It’s an exciting time," he said. "You want to play. That momentum if you win could be a good thing, or if you get beat you don’t dwell on it, it’s just on to the next.

“The training sessions in between will be light and fine tuning things.

"I enjoy it at this end of the season. I don’t so much enjoy it at the start. At the start of the season you are trying to get back to proper training so you can address things and get them right.

“At this stage in the season, you’ve done everything you need to do. I don’t think we are going to re-invent the wheel with six games to go.”

And the added bonus for the Ardeer Stadium boss is being able to play in front of a home support in these vital matches.

Five of Ardeer's remaining fixtures will be played in Stevenston, with the only away fixture being a short hop to Merksworth Park for a local derby against Dalry.

Kenney added: “We’ve been lucky with support every season but especially this year.

"The amount of people, and the noise, is brilliant. It makes such a big difference.

“I’ve been to more successful teams and it’s like a library compared to what we’ve got. It’s a great place to play football.

“With all our crowd behind us, with the noise they make and the support they give us – to set it up that way, I’d bite your hand off for that chance.”

Thistle's game at home to Kilsyth on Wednesday night kicks off at 7pm, before Kenney's side play host to Bellshill on May 4 (KO 2pm) and Greenock Juniors on May 8 (KO 7.15pm).