The Millburn Park side didn’t have a fixture at the weekend but in the two previous weeks they had two home games against St. Roch’s and Forth Wanderers — matches they would’ve expected to take maximum points from.

However they lost both having been plagued by injuries and players being unavailable. The results leave them seven points off the promotion places — the top three teams in the Central District Second go up — but Vale have already played more games than most of their rivals.

Hamill said: “The last two games were really difficult with so many players out. We were absolutely decimated with injuries and guys being unavailable so we had to play a lot of our younger players.

“In terms of promotion I would say it leaves our chances in absolute tatters if we’re being realistic.

“I’ve always said that if we can get our best team out on the park we are a match for anyone in the league but we haven’t been able to do that very often. We have been far too inconsistent in terms of performance and selection.” The upside for followers of the Millburn Park side might be that the remainder of the season will give Hamill the chance to give experience to some of his younger players who he has high hopes for.

He said: “We’ll try and get our best team out and win the games but some of our younger players will benefit from playing more games.

“We have to be careful with them to an extent but I wouldn’t have any problem playing them against any team in the league.” The Millburn Park side didn’t have a fixture at the weekend but in the two previous weeks they had two home games against St. Roch’s and Forth Wanderers — matches they would’ve expected to take maximum points from.

However they lost both having been plagued by injuries and players being unavailable. The results leave them seven points off the promotion places — the top three teams in the Central District Second go up — but Vale have already played more games than most of their rivals.

Hamill said: “The last two games were really difficult with so many players out. We were absolutely decimated with injuries and guys being unavailable so we had to play a lot of our younger players.

“In terms of promotion I would say it leaves our chances in absolute tatters if we’re being realistic.

“I’ve always said that if we can get our best team out on the park we are a match for anyone in the league but we haven’t been able to do that very often. We have been far too inconsistent in terms of performance and selection.” The upside for followers of the Millburn Park side might be that the remainder of the season will give Hamill the chance to give experience to some of his younger players who he has high hopes for.

He said: “We’ll try and get our best team out and win the games but some of our younger players will benefit from playing more games.

“We have to be careful with them to an extent but I wouldn’t have any problem playing them against any team in the league.”