FRASER DUNCAN was determined to look at the positives following his side's loss to Linlithgow last Saturday.

Sauchie battled hard against the Super League high-flyers, but ultimately came up just short.

However, the manager was pleased with his players' performance and says it shows they are moving in the right direction.

Duncan told Advertiser Sport: "If you look at the game over the whole 90 minutes we did well. We looked solid defensively and made it difficult for Linlithgow, and that is really pleasing for me.

"They are a very good side but if we had got a draw out of the game I don't think anybody would have moaned about it.

"We looked better all over the park. There has been an improvement, barring the Jeanfield game which was a bit of a blip because we were playing with nine men. Now it's about us pushing on.

"Any defeat is hard to take but there are loads of positives to take into the Largs game. I've been impressed over the last few weeks because we have improved.

"Against Hill of Beath and Linlithgow it was very positive. It seems strange to say that when we've been beaten, but that result took them to the top of the league on Saturday so they are obviously a very good side."

Sauchie's next two league encounters are both at Beechwood Park, and Duncan is targeting maximum points as he looks to steer his side clear of the Super League relegation zone.

He said: "The next two league games against Carnoustie and Broughty are a chance for us to put six points on the board and the players know that.

"They are must-win games, and although I don't like putting pressure on my team, we do need the points. They are both at home and we have to be winning those games on our own park."

The manager has been forced to ring the changes with several players coming and going since the start of the season, and he admitted he is still looking to add to his threadbare squad in the coming weeks.

Duncan added: "Our squad is very short at the minute and we are right down on numbers. We need to add a couple but we won't jump in too early because we need to get the signings right and make sure they can get us out of the position we are in.

"We have a better squad now than we did at the start of the season. It's just about putting the finishing touches to it."