Paisley Pirates coach Ian Turley admits his team are in the mix for the SNL title, but reckons it’s going to be a challenge for them.

The SNL’s third place are off to Kirkcaldy Kestrels on Sunday looking for the points that will keep them in the hunt for the crown as the season reaches a crucial stage.

And Turley insists the trip to Fife on Sunday is a must-game for them as they look to continue their run of seven wins from their last eight.

“In terms of the title push, if I was to say we weren’t looking at that, I would probably be lying,” he said.

“The position we’re in, we’re chasing the teams at the top, but we would need to go on a run of games unbeaten for the remainder of the season.

“While challenging, it’s certainly possible as we still have to play the teams round about us.  It’s within our hands, but it’s very competitive and will be a big ask for our players.

“We’re looking forward to the game on Sunday and it’s a must-win game for us, although I think everyone in the league is thinking that about their games.

“Last time we were in Kirkcaldy, we beat them convincingly and that doesn’t happen too often so I don’t imagine it will be the same again.

“They probably look for some retribution from that one so we have to be on our game.”

Pirates’ penalty shots victory over Edinburgh Capitals on Saturday kept their own push up as they remained three points behind second place Dundee Tigers, with two games in hand over them.

With four points separating the top five, there will be plenty more twists and turns and this weekend could provide one or two of those as we go.

On the periphery are the current champions Kirkcaldy Kestrels, who suffered a blow to their own flickering hopes when they lost at Dundee Comets and the chance to take the four points from the game.

The last visit of Paisley yielded a 9-1 win for the team from the west, so this latest meeting, coming up on Sunday, holds a couple of interesting storylines.

There are three games on to come on Saturday, with league leaders Aberdeen Lynx making the trip to Kilmarnock to face Thunder, looking to return to winning ways.

Lynx’s 8-3 home loss to fellow challengers Dundee Tigers was a setback, but be hopeful of taking the points at a venue where they won just before Christmas.

Kilmarnock come into the game on the back of their 6-5 win over North Ayrshire Wild and may feel emboldened to deliver what would be regarded as a shock if they were to beat the team at the top.

There are four points up for grabs in Dundee when Tigers host Edinburgh Capitals and a victory for them would put them ahead of Lynx in the standings, irrespective of what happens in Ayrshire.

It’s fair to say, it’s equally a huge game for the Caps, who could announce themselves among the title pack if they were to claim maximum points in Dundee Ice Arena.

A win for them would bring them level on points with Tigers and maybe Lynx, depending on their result.

Elsewhere, Dundee Comets will look to build on last week’s 4-1 win over Kirkcaldy Kestrels when they travel to take on North Ayrshire Wild, who are looking to add to their two wins so far this season.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Saturday

Kilmarnock Thunder v Aberdeen Lynx (5.30pm)
North Ayrshire Wild v Dundee Comets (6.30pm)
Dundee Tigers v Edinburgh Capitals (7pm)

Sunday

Kirkcaldy Kestrels v Paisley Pirates (6pm)