INTERIM Bridgwater Town manager Dave Pearse has challenged his players to prove that they are worthy of a place in the squad next season as their challenging campaign nears its close.

The Robins' relegation was confirmed after they were thumped 7-0 by Salisbury on Tuesday evening, with Pearse admitting that the gulf in class was clear to see.

"They are a very, very good side who are well-drilled, and you could see watching from the sidelines that they were just on another level to us - I wouldn't be at all surprised if they go up through the pyramid quite quickly.

"We did actually start the game well and kept it 0-0 for the first 20 minutes, while we also hit the bar and missed another good chance with the game still goalless.

"They took their chances when they came and made us pay, but our heads did not drop.

"Even at five and six nil down we kept going, the lads still tried to play and there was a feeling at the end that the scoreline was a little on the harsh side as we had performed OK."

Pearse's task has been made harder by Weston-super-Mare recalling talented young duo Liam Kingston and Jack Goodall, with Town now challenged to find the bodies to put out three teams on a Saturday (first team, reserves and Under-18s).

"It is a blow as Liam has been outstanding since I've been here and Jack is also a very good young player, and at this stage of the season it is just about having the bodies there to fulfil fixtures," he said.

"Not all the reserves are registered to play for the first team, so we are limited in who we can pick, but Josh Champion and Jordan Lovibond both came back in on Tuesday night and did well.

"It was a really good experience for the lads to play up at Salisbury and, despite the scoreline, we did ourselves justice in the performance so we need to carry that over to Saturday.

"If players want to stay at Bridgwater for next season, they need to show that in their performances in the games that are left and they will need to perform well to stay in the side between now and the end of the campaign."

Tomorrow's match against Didcot Town at Fairfax Park kicks off at 3pm.