THERE is no letting up on the title and relegation fronts. Only at Central Second Division level, where no games are scheduled over the festive period, is there any respite from the pursuit of points.

Elsewhere, the respective leading lights are all taking part in matches, although it has not escaped notice the promotion- challenging trio of Super First clubs from in and around Glasgow - Vale of Clyde, Johnstone Burgh and East Kilbride - have also opted for a winter shutdown.

Undoubtedly, there must be underlying reasons as they could be playing catch-up if rivals Beith and Kilwinning grasp this opportunity to gather points.

Indeed, the much-improved EK Jags are taking the biggest gamble of all because, if a cold snap were to bring about the postponement of their next fixture on January 6, John Brogan's men will face going into their Scottish Cup fourth-round tie with Irvine Vics without having played for six weeks.

The former St Johnstone scoring legend said: "It's far from ideal, but we were not to know both our scheduled December league games would be called off through waterlogged pitches.

"Training sessions will keep the players ticking over, but we'll probably now look to fit in one or two friendly outings.

"Irvine Vics will be every bit as ring-rusty seeing as, like ourselves, they have not played since their last Scottish Cup tie."

Meanwhile, third-top Beith's hopes of opening up a six-point gap on the chasing pack have been dealt a blow through yet another hamstring injury to veteran striker Stevie Convery.

The one-time Hamilton and Clyde marksman has suffered a plague of strains and muscle pulls since being reinstated to the Juniors at the start of last season and is a non-starter for the crunch tussle with leaders Irvine Meadow.

But, more worryingly, there must now be doubts over the likelihood of him regaining the consistent level of fitness needed to aid his team's promotion push.

Gaffer Frank Lynch said: "Stevie is experiencing a horrific run of luck, but he's a battling type whom I'm sure will be back in action sooner rather than later.

"He had struck up a decent forward line partnership alongside John Craig, so I'm not going to pretend this latest injury is anything other than a setback.

"But it's fortunate we had someone of Robbie Cameron's quality waiting in the wings and he won't let anyone down."

The Beith boss attributes his side's recent upsurge in form with the return after several weeks' injury absence of midfielder Martin McGarvey.

He said: "The whole team deserve credit for raising their game, but Martin and John Spence have been major influences.

"Their ability to create openings has meant we look ever so dangerous going forward.

However, there is plenty of scope for improvement defensively.

"We need to get things sorted out before Saturday or the Meadow strikers will have a field day at our expense."