The heat is truly on top-two aspirant Keilor in the Essendon District Football League's A grade.

Coach Michael McGuane and his players are ducking for cover after crashing to a bitterly disappointing loss to West Coburg at Shore Reserve on Saturday.

Damian Houlihan was the only shining light in attack as the visitors went down by 14 points in a low-scoring game.

It was a disastrous result, with the side sliding to third position on the ladder.

Andrew Lambropoulos, Lee Fraser, Michael James, Brad Clifton, Scott Dann and Kieran Prowse battled hard.

The pressure is intensifying on McGuane and his players. Once considered the best bet to stop Greenvale's stranglehold on the competition for most of the season, Keilor now finds itself in real danger of falling out of the top four.

Fourth-placed Strathmore is snapping at its heels, as are West Coburg and Avondale Heights.

Aberfeldie will also be considering itself an outside chance to make the top four.

Keilor hosts second-placed Maribyrnong Park at Keilor Recreation Reserve in a high-stakes game this Saturday.

It's do or die.

One-time Collingwood player Houlihan shapes as a key as he takes aim to top the comp's goalkicking.