Hamilton and Falkirk not in two-horse race for League One, insists Accies boss John Rankin

Hamilton boss John Rankin insists the League One title race isn’t just between them and Falkirk – despite an 11-point lead over third-placed Cove Rangers.

And the New Douglas Park gaffer is looking forward to testing themselves against Championship opposition again when Raith Rovers visit in the SPFL Trust Trophy quarter-final on Friday night.

Saturday’s 5-0 rout over Stirling Albion moved Accies onto 30 points, three points behind the Bairns in second place, with Cove and fourth-placed Montrose on 19.

But Rankin says tough games against some of the teams in League One this season have proved that others will be involved.

Rankin said: “People say it’s a two-horse race, and I don’t think it is.

“You’ve got Cove, who are a right good side, and I think Queen of the South will trouble teams as well.

“We’ve struggled against teams like Stirling Albion [2-2 draw] and Edinburgh City [1-1 ], so it’s disrespectful to say it’s a two-horse race.

“But we can only continue to beat the team that’s in front of us, and we continue to do that.”

Falkirk are similarly in SPFL Trust Trophy quarter-final action on Friday as they host Championship leaders Dundee United, so won’t have the chance to streak ahead in the league, while everybody else has a fixture on Saturday.

Friday night’s clash is a repeat of last season’s Trophy final, in which Hamilton beat Raith 1-0 at the Falkirk Stadium, courtesy of a Reghan Tumilty strike.

Raith are second in the Championship, four points behind leaders Dundee United, but wth a game in hand.

Rankin reckons this is a really good test under their floodlights and relishes the opportunity against Ian Murray’s side.

He said: “Friday night is a good game, it’s one of those where it’s an opportunity to test