Dalbeattie Star boss Eddie Warwick has described his side’s fixture pile-up as “horrific”.
Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Gala Fairydean Rovers was their fifth game of the month so far, with at least three more to go by the time full-time came around.
And the packed schedule is taking its toll on the squad.
Warwick said: “We knew it would be a tough game, they’ve just won a cup and they’re in a good vein of form.
“There was plenty of effort, we’re just struggling with bodies. We only had two substitutes on the bench.
“We’re getting hit with injuries and we’re low on bodies. It was our fifth game in April – it’s gone from a four game month to maybe nine or 10 games, which is horrific.
“The fixtures are coming thick and fast, playing every two or three days is putting us at a huge disadvantage.”
An own goal gave Gala an early lead but Star held out until just after the break, Ciaren Chalmers making it 2-0.
Goals from Calum Hall and Allan Smith followed, Adam Uphill bagging a late consolation for the hosts.
Star had gone into the game on the back of a 2-0 win over St Cuthbert Wanderers in the Utility Hut South of Scotland League.
Dale Milligan scored twice to secure Star’s progress – meaning another game to fit in somewhere.
They were in action again on Tuesday night when they secured a 0-0 draw with Hearts’ youngsters.
Despite the positive result, the draw also confirmed they’ll finish bottom of the Lowland League.
Their final league game of the campaign will be on Saturday, when they head to Lanarkshire to face Cumbernauld Colts.
And they’ve had to finish the season without goalie Mason McCready, who has returned to Partick Thistle.
“Our number two played third division in the west or something like that so there’s a big difference. It is what it is, we’ve just got to get through it.”
