RAITH Rovers go into their second derby of the new season determined to avoid another defeat at the hands of a Fife rival.
One week ago they were dumped out of the Alba Cup by Jimmy Nicholl's Cowdenbeath - now they face East Fife in the League Cup at Stark's Park.
And crucially Saturday is their last outing before the league season begins on August 7 with a tough home game against Partick Thistle.
Boss John McGlynn is determined that there will be no hangover from Tuesday's 5-0 friendly whitewash at the hands of an impressive Dundee United -- indeed he has urged the fans to rally round for what promises to be a tasty cup tie.
''Expectations are high,'' he admitted. ''It's a derby and we are the Division One team so people will look to us to lead.
''Fans need to stick with us. We need everyone behind us. This is a big game.''
McGlynn refused to be downhearted after Tuesday's heavy defeat, insisting there were positives he could take from the game.
New loan signing Jamie Mole in action against Cowdenbeath
Speaking after the final whistle he said: ''The result was disappointing, but it was a lesson in finishing.
''But as a team we did not play badly -- not at all.
''Craig Wilson got another 90 minutes under his belt, Willie Dyer did well, and there were good performances from the strikers who worked their socks off.
''It was also good for our midfielders to play against a team of United's calibre and we could have hit the net ourselves, so we are not downhearted, and we will look at all the positives as we focus on Saturday's cup-tie.''
The League Cup showdown brings Stevie Crawford back to Stark's Park in his role as manager of the Bayview boys, and the former striker -- part of the club's legendary Coca-Cola Cup winning side -- has warned his team to be wary of a Raith backlash after they exited the Alba Cup.
He said: "People are still going to expect Rovers to be favourites but we'll go into it with confidence from beating Brechin in the last round game and will have a good crack at them.
"They'll be really disappointed after the Cowdenbeath result and I'm sure that will fire them up even more.
"I read what John McGlynn was saying over the weekend and he wasn't a happy bunny, so we should expect a reaction from them on Saturday."
The Raith boss was pointed in his criticism of the performance against Jimmy Nicholl's Blue Brazil, specifically noting that Cowden, complete with ex-Rover Colin Cameron at the heart of the side, were the hungrier team.
''It's a massive disappointment and embarassment to say that,'' he said.''That was what won them the game.''
With one cup run over, the club will be anxious to make better progress in the League Cup, starting this weekend.
Action from the friendly with Dundee United
McGlynn added to his squad last Friday when Jamie Mole arrived on a six-month loan from Hearts.
The striker was also with Rovers towards the end of last season and featured in the Scottish Cup semi final defeat to Dundee United.
