97 saturn wont shift into second

I have a 97 saturn manual trans and second gear has a problem, when shifting from any gear into second the trans grinds and is hard to get into second. when idling it will shift into second smoothly but under load I have to shift it hard and it grinds before going into second. I have been driving it without using second but would like to know what it may be.

thanks

athought the shifter cables or shifter housing may be at fault(they would more likey affect severial gears), a worn syncro is the most likely cause, and can only be replaced by removing and dismantaling the trans