GARY LOCKE admits watching more than a dozen loyal servants lose their jobs when Hearts sank into administration was one of the blackest days he has ever experienced.

Now, the Kilmarnock manager fears he may have to go through it all over again if his side can not haul themselves clear of relegation.

Locke was in charge of Hearts two years ago when 14 staff members and four players were made redundant in a bid to keep the club afloat after then Tynecastle owner Vladimir Romanov's banking empire collapsed.

With Killie having lost seven straight matches and plummeted into a three-way duel with Motherwell and Ross County to avoid finishing in the Scottish Premiership's relegation play-off slot, Locke knows there could be easily be lay-offs at Rugby Park if they end up dropping down a division.

"Job losses and redundancies are the reality of relegation and it's a horrible reality," said Locke. "We all know that people's livelihoods are at stake. We can do a lot to help them and we need to make sure we do.

"When the folk at Hearts were laid off, that was the worst situation I have ever faced in my life. Seeing so many people lose their jobs is not something I want to go through again, so that is certainly something that is driving me on. Are the players buying into that too? Aye. They will have to because it is the reality. They know what could happen if we can't get ourselves out of this situation."

Killie had the chance to confirm their safety last week, but lost 3-1 to Motherwell, letting Ian Baraclough's 11th-placed side move to within three points of them.

They now have two games left, starting with Partick Thistle at Firhill on Saturday, to secure their survival with Locke insisting that he is not about to read the riot act despite an appalling run of form.

"It is in our own hands, so we need to make sure we get a result," he said. "As a manager, you have got to do what you think is best and, at times like this, storming into the dressing room and going berserk is probably not going to help.

"When you are on a run like we are, confidence is slightly lower than normal, so it's about picking the boys up and trying to get them to believe in their ability.

"We've shown this season we are good side and I hope we can get back to that this weekend."

Locke is boosted by the early return of defender Mark Connolly, who was expected to sit out the remainder of the campaign after breaking his collarbone back in February.

"Mark is fit enough now, so he will be in the squad, which is great," said the manager. "One man does not make a team, but he has been a big loss.

"I don't want to put too much pressure on, but anyone who has seen us this season will know he has been a loss at the back.

"We've lost a few defenders this season, with Chris Chantler also looking like he will miss the last couple of games, and that has hit us hard."