IAIN DIACK was left to rue another defensive lapse as his Sauchie side gave up more ground on their promotion rivals.

A rare David Cross error allowed former Scotland international Ian Black to score Tranent's winner on Saturday and make it two defeats on the bounce for the Reds.

Four points now separate Sauchie from their promotion rivals Crossgates Primrose with time running out if they are to secure their place in a newly formed league below the Lowland League next season.

Diack told Advertiser Sport: "It was one of those games where it was a tight game.

"Davie Cross made a mistake at the back, but that can happen when you play the way we do.

"There is going to be the odd time where you get caught.

"Considering how big the gaps are between each of the budgets, there wasn't much between the two teams.

"We created enough chances in the game and could easily have won on another day.

"A draw would have probably been a fair result, but we've got to move on quickly.

"Every game left is a must win for us now."

Darren Cummings nearly secured a precious point for the Reds at the death, but his effort clipped the post and fell agonisingly wide.

The veteran had come off the bench as Sauchie looked for a way back into the game and Diack felt a lack of options to choose from again hindered his side's chances.

Diack, who also came off the bench during the defeat, said: "We are trying not get too disappointed.

"When you consider the kind of budgets we are up against and how young they are, I am proud of the boys for the fight they have made of it this season.

"We don't get enough credit as far as I am concerned.

"Ian Black is almost on our full wage budget, so we've got to stay realistic knowing every team in the promotion race has a bigger budget than us.

"We had a few more bodies back but our injuries right now lie in the attacking areas of the pitch.

"You go 1-0 down and you are struggling for options to change it in an attacking sense.

"If we could have nicked a goal and gone 1-0 ahead then we have plenty of options to go and shut up shop.

"When we had to really go for it, it was myself and Daz. Daz made a difference and offered us a wee bit of composure.

"I can't be too critical as the boys did what we asked them to do to the best of their ability."

Sauchie face a must-win double header this week as Burntisland Shipyard and Dunipace visit Beechwood Park on Saturday and then Tuesday, respectively.

Diack added: "If we take six points over the next two games I would be delighted because then we would put pressure on Crossgates and Dalkeith."