WORCESTER City skipper Danny Jackman has admitted time is running out for the Blue and Whites as they seek to retain their National League North status.
City lost 2-1 to Brackley Town on Tuesday on the back of a 2-0 home defeat to Boston United on Saturday and Jackman said the team needed points ‘sooner rather than later’.
After hosting Brackley, caretaker-boss John Snape and his side travel to the Cheshire for a huge six-pointer against Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday (3pm).
And City will be looking to travel north with much-needed points after Jackman admitted the Blue and Whites ‘should have done better’ against Boston.
“That’s the good thing about football though, there is always another game around the corner but we are running out of time and need to get some points on the board as soon as possible,” he said.
“We haven’t got the biggest squad and many of the younger lads haven’t been in the situation we are in before so Snapper and I need to keep their heads up.”
Last Saturday’s defeat left City without a win in 17 league and cup matches, but came after two encouraging displays secured points at home to Darlington and on the road at Nuneaton Town.
And with their goal difference in better shape than many of their relegation rivals, caretaker-boss Snape and player-coach Jackman believe they can still retain their National League North status.
“Goal difference could be worth an extra point, we obviously want to get wins on the board but if it came down to such fine margins then we are in good shape in that respect,” he said.
Saturday’s clash with Stalybridge will reunite Jackman with Celtic boss Steve Burr, the midfielder having starred for Burr when he was at the helm at Kidderminster Harriers.
“It will be a massive clash for both teams. I know Steve really well and he always gets his teams playing the right way.
“Hopefully we can come away with all three points though.”.
The Lincolnshire side came away with all three points after getting the job done in the first half against the Blue and Whites.
The Pilgrims opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after Ebby Nelson-Addy was adjudged to have fouled Harry Vince to concede a penalty. Adam Chapman stepped up and slotted the ball home past keeper Ethan Ross.
City were then gifted an opportunity to equalise in the 27th minute as Nelson-Addy was fouled in the Boston area.
Jordan Murphy stepped up but his low penalty was saved by Boston keeper Ross Durrant, before the City striker blazed the rebound off the underside of the bar.
Boston then doubled their lead just before half-time after a foul by City’s James Chambers.
Louis Briscoe, on loan from Tamworth, then curled the free-kick low around the wall, beating Ross down to his left.
City couldn’t find a way through the Boston defence in the second half, in 45 minutes of football that lacked any real quality.