SAUCHIE defender David Cross believes the Reds can still finish second in the league despite their recent blip.

The 23-year-old has become a regular for Iain Diack's side since making the switch from amateur football at the start of the season.

And despite the Reds' sticky recent form – with no win since a 3-2 victory over Dundonald Bluebell in November – the former Stirling Albion man is firmly of the opinion that the side can fend off the likes of Bo'ness and Crossgates to finish behind runaway leaders Bonnyrigg Rose.

Cross told Advertiser Sport: "I definitely think we are going to push for second place.

"That's well within our reach and we are more than good enough to beat any of the teams around us.

"It's a good competitive league and I am pretty sure that if we pick up form we will be there or thereabouts.

"It's hard to say what has gone wrong and I think it's maybe just down to a wee bit of luck.

"But the boys are still confident and are still the same crack in training and I am sure the blip won't last long."

Cross returned to Scotland after a spell in America playing for Drury University, Springfield, Missouri, and coaching in Orlando and admitted he was impressed with the quality of football in the States.

Now, he plies his trade in the less exotic locations of Burntisland and Dunipace, but says he is delighted to be back playing.

He said: "Before I went to America, I wasn't enjoying it at Stirling as much as I should have.

"It's been brilliant just playing with a bunch of boys who want to play.

"It's a good style of football that we play and a good style to watch.

"The manager instils a lot of confidence in all of the boys, especially the younger boys."

Filling in at left back, Cross was involved as Sauchie fell to current runners up Dundonald Bluebell in a 2-0 defeat on Saturday.

It was a match decided by two defensive lapses from the visitors and Cross is keen to see the side put things right in Saturday's trip to Hawick Royal Albert.

He added: "We probably deserved a wee bit more out of the game and we didn't really deserve to lose 2-0.

"We really just shot ourselves in the foot with their two goals and we really did expect them to be better than they actually were.

"A wee break from the league will hopefully do us some good and give us a chance to get a win.

"Then, it's Bonnyrigg and we want to give them a right good go."