THE uncertainties of the cup have managed to deflect attention from the league grind in the last few days, but for Raith Rovers and Motherwell, both of whom are still involved in that tournament, it is back to reality tonight when they meet in a relegation contest that could have serious implications for the losers.

For the Fife club, stuck in bottom place four points and more behind everybody else, the chance to close the gap and send shivers of alarm down the spines of a clutch of clubs ahead of them is there. Equally, defeat would mean that one of the sides they are trying to catch will have jumped up a place and gone eight points clear of them.

Even in this desperately tight league, few games in the nether region have so much riding on them. Motherwell manager Alex McLeish would not disagree. ''It could give us daylight between the bottom and ourselves and make it more difficult for them, but in their dressing room you can be sure they'll be talking the opposite way, about what it could mean positively for them.''

He is in the rare position for managers at this stage of the season in that he has a full complement from which to choose . . . ''maybe 20 players''. . . and will consider changes to suit the tactical requirements of a trip to Stark's Park in the league compared with Hamil-ton Accies at home in the cup. They drew that contest and face a replay.

McLeish has pointed out to his players that, in his finest days at Aberdeen, he was in some close-run things against smaller sides yet not only prevailed in the end but went on to win the trophy.

However, for the moment, he has made sure that the cup-tie is relegated to the back-burner and the team will be focused singularly on get-ting the three points that would lift them over Hibs into fifth bottom spot, aware that the Edinburgh team next take on Rangers at Ibrox.

Rovers will be relying heavily on the Danish imports who have been such a hit in Fife, Soren Andersen and Carsten Hallum, even although the reputation the two have gathered may see them seek their living elsewhere soon.

Certainly, team-mate John Millar would be one member of their fan club hoping they stay with the side for the rest of this season.

He said: ''Before the Danish lads came we were playing well, but there was no-one who could put the ball away.

''Since Andersen arrived, he has got on the end of things very well, as the cup winner against Brechin proved.

''I know both he and Carsten Hallum have been linked with transfers, but I hope they stay because we need all the help we can get right now.

''It would be a great boost for the team if they pledged to stay here and would help our battle to stay up.''

Millar added that he and his colleagues are well aware of what is at stake tonight. ''

At this stage of the season things like confidence don't really come into it - it's all about going out to win the battle.

''But the team is playing quite well right now and it would be a great result if we could peg back Motherwell to a single point.''

Raith manager Iain Munro pointed to last Saturday's Scottish Cup win against Brechin as evidence of a fighting spirit. He said: ''We came from behind to win that one when to be honest a shock was on the cards and that is all down to the belief and resilience that is in the squad at the moment

''It proves that the attitude and professionalism of the squad can pull us through, even when we are not playing, and we have the ability to grind out results.''

q RUGBY Park and Easter Road pies are on the shortlist for the best in Britain.

Walsall, Blackpool and Newcastle United are their rivals as British soccer fans have once again voted with their stomachs in a competition to find the nation's tastiest pre-match pie.

The contest, supported by Total Football magazine, has attracted more than 1000 nominations.

A variety of different fillings have been brought to the judges' attention this year, notably Walsall's spicy Balti pie, described as ''one of a kind and fantastic on a cold Saturday afternoon''.

The steak pies at Kilmarnock and Hibernian have also received rave notices for their thick, tasty gravy, while Newcastle's mince pies are threatening to land the club their first trophy under Kenny Dalglish.

The organisers, who claim the shortlist indicates a clear north-south divide in eating quality, insist the ideal pie should be a ''manageable'' size and possess a concave shape ''so a portion of mushy pies or beans can fit nicely on top''.