Hill has faith Comrades can break out of rut

“We must win against Armagh City at Dixon Park,” stressed Ballyclare manager Eddie Hill.

“No ifs or buts about it; this is a must-win match,” he insisted.

“We are in a horrible rut, but we have the resources to pull ourselves out of it.

“I can assure you that the players are hurting, and are putting in plenty of effort, but we aren’t getting the rub of the green.”

He added: ”In our series of defeats nobody has turned us over, with games decided by small margins.

“But getting out of the rut we find ourselves in will test the mettle of the players, and we will see what class of characters we have.

“On Saturday against Distillery, analysing player against player, they were no better than we were, but they converted their chances while we didn’t.”

Concluding he added: “I have faith in my players, and I expect them to deliver.”

Meanwhile David Dorrian has been appointed assistant manager following the resignation of Gary Bell.

David, who hails from Carnmoney, brings a wealth of experience to the dugout, having been with Ballymena United, Glenavon, Bangor and Limavady United, and he is enjoying working with Eddie Hill.

For Saturday’s match, manager Hill confirmed that except for Andrew Doyle he should have a full squad to select from.