Needham Market boss Tom Rothery believes only four wins from remaining National League North games will be good enough for survival following pair of home defeats

Needham Market manager Tom Rothery believes his side will need to win all of their remaining four Vanarama National League North fixtures if they are to survive relegation this season, writes Drew Kendall.

The fourth-from-bottom Marketmen remain seven points adrift of Radcliffe in 21st with a game in hand after losing their last four matches.

The last week brought two punishing home defeats with Saturday’s 2-1 reverse to Buxton - after a 48th-minute winner made Jamie McGrath's 43rd-minute equaliser a consolation - followed by a 3-2 reverse to fellow play-off chasers Curzon Ashton on Tuesday. All five goals came in the second half with Luke Ingram’s 76th-minute penalty bringing it back to 2-1 ahead of Kyle Hammond clawing one back in the 93rd minute after the Greater Manchester side had extended their lead again.

"It's the story of the season really. I do think we've been better since the turn of the year but kind of more of the same really,” said Rothery following Tuesday’s defeat.

“We just don't defend moments well enough and it's cost us again because I think there's a lot to like from the performance.

"I thought we battled really well, moved the ball really well at times and the front two were a handful after obviously changing the shape.

“I thought the midfield were really good. Defensively we were really solid but then the three goals that we've given away again, you're going to really struggle to win games when you're giving goals like that away and obviously that has cost us tonight in a really even game, simple as that.

“We've said that far too many times and we don't seem to come out the right side of them unfortunately.”

He added: "You'll always get your critics and you get your trolls and all the rest of it but I think if you're actually watching the games, I think the lads are giving everything they've got and that's all you can ask, and I think they've done that again tonight.

“I thought they did that Saturday and I thought actually we carried more threat tonight than we did Saturday. But unfortunately that isn't enough to win us the game for the reasons that I've said previously.”

Needham now have an 11-day break until a home clash with a Rushall Olympic side currently one place and two points behind them with a game in hand.

For Rothery it must kickstart a winning run until the end of the campaign to give them hope of not losing their Step 2 status.

"We've probably got to win our four games, simple as that,” he said.

“With seven points adrift, Radcliffe are still to play Farsley (Celtic, bottom) so the way I see it is we've got to win our four games if we want to stay up, it's as simple as that.”

And he believes there is one area they have to improve on.

"Probably before November, December time, we were conceding set pieces every game. We changed something, and that worked. We went 15 games without conceding and then the last seven, it started creeping in again.

“I can't explain why. I don't, if I knew why, I'd tell you. There's a lot of quality on it and if you don't track runners or you don't do what you're supposed to do, then it can cost you a goal and that certainly happens.

“So, look, I've been around football long enough, you don't defend in moments, you're not going to win football games and for some reason, we haven't defended that tonight, I don't know why."

Meanwhile, Needham Market Women will go into their final four fixtures in the Eastern Region Women’s Premier Division propping up the table but just four points from safety with a game in hand.

Warren Lewis-Claxton’s side travel to face Watford Ladies Development a week on Sunday.