DAVID Greig has urged his Gartcairn players to remain strong as the Central Second Division title race enters the home straight.

The club was only formed in 2015 and secured a first promotion last Saturday thanks to Gary Arbuckle's strike which earned a battling 1-1 draw at Carluke Rovers. However celebrations were somewhat muted after the players learned they had been knocked off the top of the table perch by rivals Royal Albert whose 2-1 win over St Anthonys opened up a two-point lead and also ensured the Larkhall-based outfit would be making the step up from the West Region’s lowest tier, where they have played for the last 81 years.

Sitting third, just one point further adrift of Gartcairn are the strong finishing Bellshill Athletic, who have lost just once in their last 11 outings. It means all three clubs are gearing up for a fascinating race to the finishing line.

Looking at how things currently stand, one might be tempted to think it’s advantage Gartcairn given they have their destiny in their own hands with four fixtures yet to fulfil whereas both Royal Albert and Bellshill are left with only three games.

However neutral supporters might take the view that Greggy and his playing charges have by far the tougher run-in with games against Vale of Leven, Bellshill, Johnstone Burgh and Dunipace to come.

The Gartcairn boss said: "To finish with four wins is clearly a big ask but we’ll be giving it our best shot starting away to Vale of Leven this coming weekend .

“Any of the top three teams could end up champions but regardless of how everything pans out, I still believe winning promotion with Gartcairn this season eclipses anything I have ever done in the Junior game.

“Injuries to key players has become a regular occurrence and it’s been a phenomenal achievement by the guys to stay in title contention despite losing the services of Arbuckle, Giggsy [Ryan Donnelly] ,our captain Kevin Ross, David Hepburn and Jake Morris for months at a time.

“There’s no end in sight to our troubles with Donnelly and Liam McLaughlin unlikely to play again this season and Morris, Dylan Bennet and Dylan McGuigan rated definite non-starters for the trip to Millburn Park.

“Having big players missing is a blow but coping with adversity has been the story of our season and we’ll just need to do it again.”

Meanwhile, putting points on the board is the aim of those clubs taking part in tonight’s latest round of midweek fixtures which has Super Premier Division rivals Kilbirnie Ladeside and Glenafton locking horns at Valefield knowing defeat will almost certainly end their respective hopes of mounting a late title push.

Third-placed Beith must similarly look to take the spoils at home to Cumnock and try to close to within five points of league leaders Kilwinning Rangers while bottom-markers Arthurlie can ease their relegation fears with a victory over Clydebank.

Super First Division promotion contenders Cambuslang Rangers will be determined to avoid a third consecutive league defeat when travelling to Kilsyth Rangers while another crunch clash has second-placed Renfrew looking to get back on the winning trail away to basement strugglers Shettleston.

An idle night for Central First Division leading lights Rossvale presents nearest challengers Benburb with the opportunity to close to within a point by overcoming Lesmahagow at Craighead Park while third-placed St Rochs cannot afford any slip ups at home to city rivals Glasgow Perthshire.