Shorts boss John Johnston is on the lookout for immediate reinforcements after he lost five players to red cards amid ugly scenes in their game against Plunkett on Saturday.
An ill-tempered clash erupted into a brawl in injury time, with players, coaches and spectators involved in the on-field punch-up at Aircraft Park.
Just moments earlier, the visitors had taken a late, late lead in the top-of-the-table game.
By that stage, the hosts had already lost three men to an early bath, with another two given their marching orders after the final whistle in the wake of the fracas.
One player from Plunkett was also sent off after the final whistle.
Amateur League chairman Terry Pateman happened to be among those in attendance as the game was abandoned at 0-1.
The League Management Committee will adjudicate on what punishment, if any, follows from the referee’s report, but in all likelihood the 0-1 scoreline will stand, with the game way beyond the 60-minute mark when trouble flared.
Whatever happens, Johnston admits his squad is stretched to breaking point ahead of another crunch promotion game at Greenisland this Saturday, with half his starting XI serving automatic bans.
“I’m now down five of my best players for next week, I just hope this doesn’t derail our season,” he told Match On Tuesday.
“After Saturday, that was the most gutted I’ve been in 40 years in the game.
"Now I’ve asked a few of my friends in football about signing some players, and a few I’ve signed from Dublin, I’m hoping they will come up and be available for this Saturday.”
