YOU don't need to be a genius to work out the area that is holding back Shettleston's bid for promotion this term.

Town boss Hugh Kelly has seen his side ship seven points in five league games in which they have lost just eight goals but have also scored only eight.

Defence is not an issue, as Kelly has brought in vastly experienced keeper Bryn Halliwell to play behind the twin stoppers Leon Juskowiack and Reece McGillion.

Last weekend's 0-0 draw with Rutherglen Glencairn served to underline this new defensive solidity.

But it also highlighted a weakness in front of goal in the absence of talismanic striker Scott Anson.

A groin strain has laid low the powerful frontman who was instrumental in Town's promotion-winning campaign last season. And the Govan-based player's shooting boots are going to take some filling.

The bad news for fans of Shettleston is that Anson will again be a definite non-starter for this Saturday's trip to Neilston, who pipped them to the Central First Division title in May.

The 25-year-old forward revealed: "I've been getting treatment from the former Celtic physio Brian Scott and he reckons I would run the risk of doing serious long-term damage by pushing myself to get back into action at Brig O'Lea.

"A two-week break from league action is coming up as we'll face Dalry Thistle in the New Coin Holdings Cup on October 18 before we take on Royal Albert in the Scottish Junior Cup.

"So maybe it's best if I set my sights on being fully fit for our next league game.

"It's so frustrating to be on the sidelines as I didn't miss a game last season. Yet now it looks like I will only play two of our opening six league matches.

"The worst thing is that I aggravated the injury after feeling a few twinges in our 2-1 win over Ardeer in the Junior Cup first round.

"We were down to 10 men and had just equalised, so I didn't want to come off with the game evenly balanced.But I did more harm than good by trying to play on."

Anson was on the books of Hamilton and Kilmarnock as a kid and had spells with Montrose and Annan plus clubs in Ireland before Celtic legend Chris Sutton took him to Lincoln City in the English Conference.

Sadly, a snapped sciatic nerve put paid to his dream of a Senior career.

ANSON'S reinstatement to the Junior ranks with Bo'ness United helped Alan McGonigal's side win the East Region title.

But the birth of his son Charlie led him to seek a move to a club nearer home.After spells with Petershill, Neilston and Cumnock, he arrived at Shettleston last year. He quickly became a fans' favourite.

Now the goal machine is determined to help take the Town up into the Super Premier top flight, possibly even as champions.

Anson said: "Hugh Kelly claims his target is for us just to stay in this division but the guys feel we can do a lot better than that.

"One loss in five games supports that. Defensively we're sound. That's allowed us to pinch a few results.

"Kyle Robertson is doing a superb job as a makeshift forward and I'm itching to get back and do my bit. But until then we need others to step up to the plate.

"I wouldn't rule out Shug having something up his sleeve in the way of striking reinforcements just as he did 18 months ago when he brought in Keigan Parker.

"He has great ambitions for this club and contacts at every level of the game. I wouldn't bet against him unearthing a rising star or an ex-Senior looking to play in the Junior ranks."