LEIGHTON MCINTOSH hopes he fares better in this season's Scottish Challenge Cup with Wrexham.

The striker joined the Reds in the summer from Airdrie who lost 1-0 at home to Sutton United in the third round of the competition last term, the first year that National League clubs were involved.

Wrexham, taking part in the competition as one of the two highest ranked teams still remaining in the division, entertain Ayr today and McIntosh, who began his career at Dundee and also played for Peterhead and Arbroath, hopes a cup win can spark life into the Reds' league campaign where they are winless in five games.

"I didn't realise I would be playing in the competition when I signed," said McIntosh.

"Then I thought back to last season when I was at Airdrie and we played Sutton.

"They beat us 1-0 so they did well there.

"It is a good opportunity for us, it is a different type of game and hopefully we can get the win.

"It is an opportunity for boys to get minutes and rotate the squad a little bit.

"A Scottish Challenge Cup run wouldn't hurt anybody."

Manager Bryan Hughes hopes Wrexham can revive their fortunes with victory over Ayr.

"It is hurting everyone," said Hughes. "It is hurting the players, it is hurting myself and it is hurting fans.

"We are in a bit of a blip but we are trying to come out of it."