David Greig took stock of all things Blantyre Vics this week and came away wishing 2014 was not coming to an end.

His ponderings left him thinking there have been signs of real progress at Castle Park.

However, the hard-working Vics boss is adamant an even bigger challenge lies in wait for him in trying to keep his side on an upward curve in the New Year.

Some could deem it perfectly understandable if Greggy harboured a sense of what might have been after the famous old Lanarkshire outfit's quest for a first major trophy success since 1995 was shattered when they were dramatically beaten on penalty kicks by Cumbernauld United in this season's Gasworks Park staged Euroscot Sectional League Cup Final played in early November.

But, in typically upbeat fashion, he has hailed his players' feats and urged them to emerge from the shadows and mount a push on all the remaining silverware fronts.

Greggy said: " The last 12 months have been immensely enjoyable and for Blantyre Vics to have lost just one league match during that time speaks volumes about the application and astonishing consistency shown by the players at this club.

"They have exceeded all our expectations and even the massive blow of losing the Euroscot Final from a 3-1 winning position with just five minutes left to play cannot tarnish what has been achieved up to now.

"We've put that setback behind us and if anything the shared desire to do well is burning stronger than ever with the guys continuing to overcome every challenge put before them so I don't want the year to finish without them realising their potential.

"Mind you, it's not a bad consolation to be going into 2015 with Blantyre Vics retaining an interest in the Scottish and West of Scotland Cups as well as being handily placed as one of the Central First Division title contenders.

"I really couldn't ask for more from the players...but you can bet your boots I will."

The frost-bound pitch postponement of last weekend's scheduled league match away to Ashfield has the seasoned gaffer concerned over the ever widening points gap between his side and the clubs above them in the standings.

Scoring doubles from James Coffey and Jonathan McStay helped Lesmahagow come good by a 4-3 scoreline against Larkhall Thistle in the only First Division encounter to beat the weather.

And this latest victory enables the Robert Irving-steered Gow to move out on their own in second top spot just four points adrift of frontrunners Bellshill Athletic but crucially from a game fewer played..

Greig reasoned: "Lesmahagow are going along strongly as are Dunipace while Renfrew are capable of stringing results together.

"But I would say anyone with designs on being crowned champions will need to finish above Bellshill .

"We have games in hand over them and the other top placed teams, however Ashfield was our second postponement on the spin and we simply must get playing regularly again over the winter months to try and edge closer to the top sides..

"Otherwise we will be left playing catch up from April onwards with a backlog of fixtures necessitating three games per week and that could prove fatal to our promotion hopes."

Blantyre are set to be without three key players for this week's short hop to face a Lanark United side managed by one time Vics boss John Brogan.

Ryan McGarry and Andy Sinclair will definitely sit out the Moor Park contest with ankle ligament damage while a painful cracked rib injury threatens to sideline burly frontman Davie Kirkwood.

The Vics gaffer added: "We have boosted playing numbers by bringing in Andy Scanlon from Cumnock on a month's loan deal.

"And other newcomers have been targeted albeit our approaches up to now have come to nothing."

Meanwhile, goalkeeping prospect John Mullen, between the sticks in the Euroscot League Cup finale, has been transferred to Cumnock after growing disillusioned with his lack of starting appearances since Greg snapped up experienced No1 Kevin Macklin from Arthurlie.

Lanark gaffer John Brogan's determination to drag the Yowes out of the doldrums has him vowing to do one of his former clubs no favours.

He insisted: "I'm at a super club where the backing from club officials has been nothing less than 100% backing so I would love to repay the people behind the scenes by preserving Lanark's existence in the First Division.

"Upward strides have been made already thanks to some personnel changes, which have resulted in former Vale of Clyde goalkeeper Ryan Mailey coming on board along with two promising youngsters on loan from Pollok in Thomas Clark and Michael McGhee.

"And I have high hopes for 18-year-old Mark Russell - brother of Derby and Scotland striker Johnny - who was released by Dundee United and has the natural ability to make a name for himself in the game ...hopefully with Lanark for starters .

"It is a huge ask to continue our momentum against this physically powerful Blantyre side, but I sense the players are in the mood to give it their best shot."