A staggering total of ten of his first team squad are carrying injuries, and three of them were named in Saturday's team.

Suffering from tonsilitis, striker Phil Power took to the bench, defying doctor's orders; Mark Maddox is not 100% fit and Gavin Price's hernia operation takes place this week.

On top of that, Stuart Coburn, Brendan Burke, Barry Crowe, Kevin Ellison, Keith Russell, Dean Greygoose and Gary Talbot are all unavailable for selection. Taylor said, "I'm not making excuses, but all of the guys who are out at the moment are players who I would want to pick for the first team.

"No-one is more upset about Saturday's result than the players and myself."

Also, Taylor is in the unenviable situation of not having the funds available to do anything about it.

"The chairman has been very good to me, and he has said to me, on more than one occasion, that if the money was available, he would let me have it.

"I'm sorry for the fans, who - as always - have been absolutely spot-on, and I hope they will give me a little patience as we try to battle through this difficult time."

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