GAFFER Fraser Duncan reckons the 1-0 defeat to Broxburn that saw the end of Sauchie’s East of Scotland Cup defence last weekend is one of the toughest results he ever had to endure.

The Beechwood Park side crashed out to a late second-half strike and the 31-year-old gaffer believes they got exactly what they deserved from the tie.

Now the Wee County side have to quickly turn their attentions to league duty and the manager expects a big response from his players at Lochee United on Saturday.

Duncan told Advertiser sport: “I am looking for a major reaction for them at Lochee on Saturday because it is essential that we start picking up points again in the league.

“The guys have to lift themselves and prove to me that they deserve to be here because there are only so many chances you can give some players. Saturday is now a must-win game for us because of that.

“We didn’t deserve anything from the first half of the match because we were very poor and that gave Broxburn a foothold in the game.

“We found it difficult to play our football because of how heavy the surface was and unfortunately we find it a bit tricky sometimes to play the more direct approach. Broxburn used the long ball to their advantage in the game and it worked for them.

“In the second half we played much better and created more chances, but for me, we just didn’t show enough fight or desire to hang onto our trophy. That was the most disappointing thing because we’ve ended up going out with a whimper which isn’t good enough.

“As a team, we had too many guys who had an off-day and we can’t afford that. I will look to ring the changes now and base my team on who is good enough to continue with us, so that is the challenge the players now face.

“It is probably one of the toughest to take in terms of defeats at Beechwood Park in my time at the club. ” Duncan now hopes his men can now re-focus quickly as they look to secure their league status for next season, but warned he is not afraid to blood some of the club’s youngsters if the squad continue to under perform.

Sauchie still have one final chance at silverware this season in the Fife and Lothians Cup, but the former defender reckons an extended run in that competition is a must.

He said: “A good run in the Fife and Lothians Cup is essential now. It will come down to when the games come about though for us because our playing style and the way we like to pass the ball really isn’t suited to the winter pitches we are encountering at the moment. I am hopeful of some better weather to come in that will help us get back to that type of passing football that we are known for and if that happens then we have a good chance.

“The focus for me now has to be to secure our status in this division first and foremost and then anything else after that is a bonus. It will be time to look to next year for us at that point and then we will see who really wants to be here.

“I may look to blood some of the U21s to see if they can make the step up next season. I am happy to do that if I have to.”