GOATACRE skipper Ed Wilkins says his side need four wins out of their last eight fixtures to renew their Premier One status.

Following their six-wicket defeat away to Downend on Saturday, the club are second-from-bottom in the league standings leaving them in danger of relegation.

Ten games into the season, Wilkins admitted his side are in a precarious situation with just two victories to their name.

Wilkins won the toss and chose to bat but acknowledged their effort of 259 all out was always going to be a reachable target for their hosts.

That proved to be the case, Downend made light work of their chase, putting 263-4 together to record the win.

Despite the poor results, Wilkins also reiterated that spirits are high within the camp.

“It’s another defeat and things aren’t going well for us at the minute,” he said.

“We are playing well but we just aren’t getting the results at the moment, this week we battled up to 260 with a few guys chipping in but we needed someone with a big score.

“It’s tough. Everyone is still working hard and trying hard but we need to try and put some complete performances together.

“The mood is fine. If we were getting hammered every week then I would think we’d be a bit more downbeat but we know we are competing.

“There is a long way to go. There are eight games left and our aim now is to finish third-from-bottom and stay up.

“I think we need to win half of our remaining games if we are going to stand half a chance of staying up.

“We’ve targeted four wins out of eight, that might not be enough, but I think it might just be.”

Elsewhere, Potterne were also unsuccessful in their attempt to claim a win as they fell short against Bristol.

Bristol forced the villagers to field and recorded a total of 179 all out in a difficult day

When it was Potterne’s turn, Basil Akram top scored with 45 but Ashur Morrison’s troops ultimately fell just short of their target, as they managed to total161, suffering an 18-run loss.

Both teams return to action on Saturday. Goatacre take on in-form Bristol and will be without Benny Howell as he picked up a groin injury while on duty for Gloucestershire.

Potterne, who now have one win in five games, return home to play second-place Downend.