ROSS Jack remains upbeat that his Elgin City team can reach the play-offs despite losing 2-1 to nearest rivals Annan.
City are just two points ahead of their opponents with three games to go, and manager Jack said he is looking for his players to show their mettle in the run-in.
“I still believe in them, and they've got to go out there and prove they can do it,” Jack said after Saturday's loss.
“The dressing room is like a morgue just now but we need to keep going and find some belief to take into our remaining matches.”
Jack says City won't have just three league games left, as he insists they can be involved in the two-legged play-off semis and final to end the campaign on a high.
“I don't mean that flippantly. I do believe we've got seven matches left.
“It's going to be one hell of a task now. It's a huge hill to climb but I'm confident we can do it.
“The last few weeks have been tough but we're looking for winners now.”
City started in fine style with a seventh minute opener from the head of giant striker Paul Millar.
But Jordyn McKechnie levelled on 26 minutes and Graeme Bell forced home what proved to be the winner six minutes before half time.
Elgin's misery was completed when midfielder Stuart Leslie was sent off on the stroke of half time.
The Inverness policeman had already been booked when he lunged in on John Macbeth and was shown the red card.
Even with ten men Elgin had the better of play in the second half but their best chance saw Alex Cooper denied by Annan keeper Alex Mitchell.
Manager Jack pointed to Leslie's red card as a crucial point in the game.
“He never touched the boy (for the second yellow) but it was probably two bookings. Indiscipline has cost us again, and its just not on.”
Elgin: Calder, Niven, Cooper, Durnan (MacPhee 64), Duff, Cameron (Beveridge 82), Gunn, O'Donoghue (Wilson 82), Millar, Nicolson, Leslie. Subs: McMullan, Black.
See Friday's Northern Scot for the latest Elgin City news.
