ANYONE would be forgiven for assuming some sort of witch's curse has been placed on Beechwood Park as Sauchie's rotten run of luck continued.

A good performance in their narrow defeat to league leaders Bo'ness United on Saturday was overshadowed as the Reds' bid to remain in the Premier Division suffered another blow.

Fraser Duncan was seeing the positives from their showing in Fife as he bids to ensure they remain in the league come May, even if the challenge has been accentuated by a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player in their league opener.

Stevie Dolan featured in the side's 2-2 draw with Hill of Beath Hawthorn only for it to later emerge a suspension had carried over last season for the utility man.

As a result, Sauchie now find themselves cut adrift at the bottom of the table on two points with their only league win of the season – against fellow strugglers Whitehill Welfare – effectively wiped from the record books.

Despite the latest setback, Duncan had plenty to be happy about in the wake of Sauchie's 1-0 defeat to Max Christie's side.

Former Reds captain Brian Morgan pounced on indecision at the back to open the scoring, but the visitors were unlucky not to peg back the league leaders, hitting the woodwork before Kris Faulds missed a late chance.

He told Advertiser Sport: "We were very unlucky on Saturday and we set the team up to know how to combat their threat and we did that.

"The only thing you can really criticise was a poor opening 10-15 minutes when they scored and that was probably just a little bit of inexperience.

"Jordan Wright and David Cross were outstanding and so was the whole of the back four, other than the opening 15 minutes.

"I got the good reaction and you wouldn't have thought that was a top of the table against bottom of the table clash.

"In all honesty, if we had left with a point then no one could have said anything about it.

"At the moment, I don't think the league is a true reflection on our ability and I know we will turn it around."

To see the side fulfill their potential, Duncan has already identified the need to sort their struggles up front and Advertiser Sport understands he will look to bring in at least two players before Saturday's clash with Newtongrange Star.

Stevie Dolan was tasked with leading the line at Bo'ness and Duncan was keen to highlight his positive display.

He said: "It is very vital that I add in players who are going to improve us as quickly as possible because we can't afford to go anymore weeks without picking up points.

"It's got to be fixed straightaway and if this is what is needed then I am prepared to do that.

"I've got to give credit where it is due to Stevie Dolan on Saturday as I thought he was excellent and the way he played was different class."

Sauchie face Newtongrange Star on Saturday at New Victoria Park from 2.30pm.

Meanwhile, the Wee Sauchie host Syngenta at Beechwood at the same time as they look to bounce back from their own 3-1 defeat to Stoneyburn Juniors at the weekend.