Montrose boss Paul Hegarty has conceded that even if his side were to win all their remaining five games of the regular season, it might not be enough for them to escape a dreaded pyramid play-off.
The Gable Endies are currently in a precarious position propping up League Two, 11 points behind Clyde.
The Angus side, who lost again last week at East Fife, host second-top Queen’s Park today and Hegarty will have to field a side missing five players, with Ross McCord, Leighton McIntosh, Graham Webster and Paul Harkins all ruled out.
Hegarty, who took over from former Montrose boss George Shields in February, said: “We have been in at the club for six games and we have lost five of them with the only win being the excellent one over Arbroath.
“During those games we have conceded own goals and had two people sent off which has obviously not helped matters.
“The players realise the predicament we are in with the likelihood of a play-off against either Brora Rangers or Edinburgh City looming large.
“We will definitely keep battling but we are currently 11 points behind Clyde with only 15 points to play for.
“We have only won seven league games all season and even if we were to secure five victories in our remaining games, it might not be enough as I think Clyde will pick up points.
“So it is a huge task and we will just have to prepare properly for the next five games and hopefully get a few wins under our belt to boost confidence.
“Of course, we have an incredibly difficult game on Saturday against second top Queen’s Park.
“They are an excellent side and are doing really well under Gus MacPherson.
“All games are tough when you are down there at the bottom of the league but the lads showed when they beat Arbroath that they can be excellent and they do have it in their locker.”