STUART BELL says Sauchie must avoid any more off days in the final weeks of the Super League season.

The Wee County side saw their six-month unbeaten league run ended by Kennoway Star Hearts on Saturday, and Bell admitted the players were devastated.

And the defender insisted that the whole squad must take collective responsibility for the result.

Bell told Advertiser Sport: "We were gutted after the game, especially with the unbeaten run coming to an end.

"Everybody has an off day and that's what we've got to put it down to. But that has to be the last one this season.

"A couple of the boys have been struggling with injury and I think that played a part in the result, but we win as a team and lose as a team."

Despite their run coming to an end, Bell reckons Sauchie have proved over the course of the season that they do deserve their place at the East Region's top table.

The centre-back says there is a buzz around the squad and revealed that he loves the feel-good atmosphere at Beechwood Park.

He said: "Getting results against teams like Linlithgow and Broxburn was massive for us. We can take a lot of positives from that run. We've proved over the last few months that we've got a good team.

"There's a great buzz about the changing room at the minute because of the way we've been playing.

"You notice it at training as well because everyone has been much more positive. There's a great atmosphere around the squad just now."

Sauchie are aiming to return to winning ways against relegation-threatened Carnoustie Panmure, and Bell says it's crucial that his side get back to winning ways.

The former Camelon defender has his heart set on another unbeaten run which would make absolutely sure of Sauchie's own Super League survival.

Bell added: "It's important that we rediscover that winning mentality in time for Saturday. It's an absolutely massive game for us.

"Playing well and getting another three points would open up more of a gap between ourselves and the teams below us so it is massively important.

"The games are going to start coming thick and fast so it's crucial that we keep that winning mentality going from now until the end of the season."