Dumbarton manager David Winnie believes that the side with the best home record in this season's Second Division will be a good bet for promotion, and he hopes to keep up the Sons' ambitions with a win at home against Hamilton.

Winnie watched the Accies in their 3-0 defeat to Ross County in the CIS Cup, and thought that they had played better than the scoreline suggests.

The Sons will possibly be without goalkeeper Steven Grimely (hamstring) for the game, while Neil Scallie is suspended but Tom Brown returns to the squad.

Winnie said: "They actually played pretty well against Ross County and I'm just hoping we can make home advantage count for us in this one."

Hamilton manager Chris Hillcoat admits that he is asking a lot from his young side this season, but stresses that he thinks they are up to the task.

Hillcoat insists that despite poor results of late, the overall progression of the side has been heartening.

Hamilton will go into the game without Ally Graham (Achilles) and with Hillcoat himself still not fit for selection.

He said: "I'm still happy enough at the moment. The performances have been improving even if the results haven't.