"We need a result, it is as simple as that," said Steven.

"We need a win. Some of our recent performances have been good enough to justify winning. We have had chances but have not quite taken them."
John Gemmell is unlikely to line up against one of his former clubs as his back injury is expected to keep him on the sidelines.

Experienced striker Paul Tosh may play as a trialist for Montrose provided his release from Cove Rangers is rubber-stamped in time. The manager wanted to include him against Annan, but it didn't prove possible.

Stevie Nicholas played as a trialist against Annan, but he has now signed a deal until the end of January, financed by money contibuted by Montrose fans.

Fraser Milligan was a doubt for the Annan game with a hamstring problem. He played for 45 minutes and was substituted.

"I took Fraser off as I didn't want to risk him doing any damage after being in the warmth of the dressing room at half-time then coming out into the cold."

The transfer window is about to open, but Steven says that the economic climate dictates that there will be no new faces at Links Park.

"There is no money and if anything we are looking to cut back rather than spend. I do not know if that means anyone will be leaving.

"The Scottish Cup also has a bearing on our thoughts. If we were able to bring someone in, the chances are he would not be able to play in our forthcoming cup-tie (against Edinburgh City) because he would be cup-tied."

Broken foot victim Gordon Pope won't play again this season, James Collier has started jogging and Sean Fleming has been to see a specialist this week in a bid to get to the bottom of the back and hamstring problems which have sidelined him since five games into the season."

Speaking immediately after Saturday's 0-0 draw with Annan, the manager said: "They could have nicked it at the end when they had a couple of chances, but we had the best chance of all through young Daryl (Nicol).

"We dominated for 45 minutes and got into some good areas.

"Greg Kelly made a couple of good saves and we had a few other decent strikes.

"In the second half they came out and started going back to front and our quality was not the same. We played a lot of straight balls which was to their benefit.

"We had great chances in the first half and Alan Campbell hit the bar with a good header.

"Daryl's miss was just down to inexperience, but it was a great move and a great ball from Sean Anderson that put him in.

"In the main we restricted them to strikes from outside the box."