WAYNE Thorne believes tomorrow’s home clash with Barnstaple Town is massive in the context of his side’s battle to beat the drop.

Melksham gave their survival bid a much-needed boost with a 1-0 win at Hallen on Saturday, only to slip into bad habits at Bristol Manor Farm on Tuesday.

Thorne’s men were hammered 4-0, particularly disappointing after what the manager labelled as probably their best performance of the campaign on the weekend.

Wellington’s midweek win muddied the waters once more, Melksham finding themselves back one off the bottom of the table.

The manager, who saw Dan Lardner’s goal earn three precious points at Hallen, admitted: “It seems to be the way with us at the moment.

“We did the same the week before when we played well against Radstock and then were beaten in midweek by Bishop Sutton.

“Manor Farm was a poor performance and we’re trying to get that consistency of performance out of the players.

“It’s not easy and we had eight players out. I had to play myself but that’s the way it is at the moment.

“It looks like it (the relegation battle) is going to the wire so we need to beat teams around us like Barnstaple, pick up some points and hope we drag some of the others above us into it as well.’’

Defender Gary Blackwood is only 50-50 to make the game, while striker Ben Fitch, defenders Ryan Trowbridge and Adam Young are both missing and Simon Gillatt is suspended.