GLASGOW (AFP) - Scottish Premier League strugglers Gretna were bidding Thursday to have their match away to Aberdeen this weekend postponed as they desperately tried to secure an emergency injection of funds.

The club's administrator said as players had not been paid they were free to leave and seek employment elsewhere.

Although the bottom-of-the-table club were still functioning, despite a warning they would have to raise 30,000 pounds by Thursday lunchtime or go out of business, administrator David Elliot said: "The position has not improved from yesterday (Wednesday), it has deteriorated and I am not convinced we will be able to put a team out on Saturday.

"That would mean we are breach of league rules and would leave us open to be fined and face other penalties.

"Unfortunately we are running out of time."

He added: "There is a willingness on the part of all parties to continue but it should be remembered each player is now facing a situation where their contract has been breached. They should be paid and they haven't been.

"The players will need to consider their own positions. There is, until March 27, the opportunity to move to another club if they wished.

"I can't stand in their way - morally, ethically or legally.

"I have had a meeting with the players. They are considering their positions and I was impressed by the loyalty and the way in which they are wanting to keep the football playing.

"But we have a lack of players in certain positions and I believe it may well be necessary to seek permission to postpone the match on Saturday.

"I am not giving up. I will try again tomorrow to get the team sorted out but as of today I do not have a team that we can put out on Saturday."

Gretna went into administration after club owner Brooks Mileson, who is terminally ill, cut off his supply of cash to the club.

Under Mileson, whom Elliot said had invested 8 million pounds into the club, Gretna had enjoyed a rapid rise from the obscurity of non-league football to the SPL, as well as reaching the 2006 Scottish Cup final.

If the club survives, relegation from the top flight is inevitable with the club's paltry points total having been reduced to six following a ten-point penalty for going into administration.

A consortium fronted by football agent Paul Davies was considering a rescue plan but any scheme to save Gretna will inevitably involve redundancies.

The club has a tiny fan base and has had to play SPL matches at Motherwell's Fir Park this season because their own Raydale Park home does not meet top-flight standards.

If Gretna go out of business, the SPL table will be re-adjusted with the results of matches involving the club cancelled.