Callum Antell and Michael Mbewe added to Berwick Rangers' growing injury list

The Borderers are keen to end a hoodoo of knocks after an unlucky 2-0 defeat on the road at Linlithgow Rose last weekend with Callum Rae netting in each half.

He shot home from 12 yards in the 23rd minute then looped in a header for the killer second late on.

The black and gold had been just the width of the woodwork from taking the lead themselves when Liam Gregory smashed one off the crossbar – but finished the game with 10 men after Micky Mbewe limped off with all the subs used.

Keeper Callum Antell had also been forced from the field with a groin injury as manager Kevin Haynes could only shake his head at the mounting injury list at the club.

Far from everything coming up smelling of flowers, the ‘Gers have a number of players confined to the treatment table and it’s a frustration for the boss.

“We were still in the game at 1-0 with 10 minutes to go, and then the Berwick curse kind of kicks us again and we lose Michael before conceding with 10 minutes to go,” Haynes told the club’s social media.

“If we had 11 players on the pitch there’s always a chance that can get us back into the game. We were unfortunate that way and we just seem to be cursed.”

Berwick had secured a good win at Civil Service Strollers last midweek thanks to Alfie Robinson’s second-half goal, but the new injuries took some of the shine off that.

“All there was between the teams in my opinion up to the 80th minute was one missed opportunity by us and one mistake by us,” continued Haynes.

“We were in the game right up to that 80th minute until we lose that second goal – and it’s a bit of an unfortunate goal to lose as well, because of the ricochet off a thigh that lands on someone’s head. It is what it is, we’ve got to dust ourselves down and go again.”

The extent of Antell and Mbewe’s injuries will be assessed this week with Mark McConnell, Jamie Pyper, Joe Ellison and Danny Handling already in the hands of the physio.