IT REALLY is do or die time as far as Petersfield Town’s chances of escaping the bottom two positions in Southern League Division 1 Central are concerned.

The visit of Kidlington tomorrow (Saturday) sees the Rams enter their last 11 league matches of the season, and while there are still 33 points up for grabs they are now 20 points behind third from bottom Aylesbury.

Petersfield, who have only amassed nine points from their 31 league games played so far this campaign, desperately need three points to hopefully spark the last quarter of the season into life.

Chairman Graeme Moir is always one of the most optimistic people in the Rams camp but even he admits that beating the drop from this position is almost mission impossible now.

“I’ve seen some great escapes from relegation in my time but if we did escape from this position, and when you consider everything that has gone on before now this season, it really would be the football story to beat all football stories,” he said.

“We’ve got to get three points on the board as soon as possible as time is running out rapidly for us to do anything.

“We have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks and been desperately unlucky not to pick something up in our last two games.

“But you can’t wait for your luck to turn – we’ve got to make it happen now. One win might well transform everything, suddenly the outlook may be very different and spark different things into life for us.

“Everything that was a problem isn’t a problem when you are winning. All the things people won’t do or start arguments about suddenly sees those same people doing things without a grumble when you are winning.

“It tears me apart inside every time we lose – I try and lift everyone around the club for every game and we are always positive and upbeat when we kick-off. When we get another defeat it really cuts me up and kills me inside.

“We have been improving quickly in the last two weeks or so and now we have one or two more new signings to go into the side this weekend, as well as a few more experienced players back like Nick Awford so we are confident the right things are coming together for us at just the right time.”

A more realistic target for the Rams could be to catch and pass second from bottom Histon, who are 14 points ahead but Petersfield have two games in hand on them.

Finishing second from bottom could yet save Petersfield’s Southern League status but the key aim must be for the club to amass as many points as possible before the end of the season.

Moir added: “There is an outside chance of a reprieve – it’s a slim hope but before then we just need to get as many points on the board as we possibly can.

“Regardless of the position we are in, every one of our 11 matches remaining will count for something and it is down to us to make sure the results work in our favour – so we can climb out of the bottom two, not finish bottom or possibly be considered for a reprieve scenario.”