STEVIE DOLAN believes having a fully fit squad will prove pivotal for Sauchie as the promotion race nears its conclusion.

The 27-year-old scored in the side's comfortable 4-0 win in the King Cup away to Hawick Royal Albert on Saturday, ahead of the Reds' return to league action this weekend.

Iain Diack's men travel to Tranent Juniors as they look to catch Crossgates Primrose in fifth and secure their place in a newly-formed league below the Lowland League next season.

Dolan told Advertiser Sport: "When we start playing Wednesday nights and during the week, it is important to have as many players as possible.

"It will be good to have a full squad then and it will be a lot harder to pick from.

"We have a lot of games to catch up on. We had a couple of players missing on Saturday and basically had a skeleton squad.

"Ryan (Conville) has helped us a lot when we've been struggling with injuries and getting a couple of bodies has been great.

"Hopefully, we will have a few more back for next week.

"The good thing is that we've not got a lot of players on the injury table.

"At the start of the season, we had a big squad and that was pushing us on. Hopefully it will be the same in the run-in."

Dolan's fourth goal of the season helped Sauchie to the comfortable win over The Royalists, with strikes from Craig Donaldson, David Cross, and Conor Langton sealing the rout in the Borders.

The utility man found himself at the back as part of a makeshift defence, but admits he doesn't mind where he plays if it gets him on the pitch.

He added: "As long as I am playing, I am happy. Whether it is up front or in defence, I don't mind.

"I have had a couple of seasons where it has been difficult to get consistent game time and some issues with work. But things are going well at work and I am playing football and loving it again.

"It was a scrappy game because of the conditions and the park. We needed a result and that was the main thing, so we just had to dig in and get the win.

"We played really well and the boys were saying it was a bit like the Bo'ness United game (a 1-0 loss), but this time we got the result."