BRIDGWATER Town player-manager Dave Pearse is urging his side to pick up their performance levels as they aim to end a three-match losing streak.

The Robins had looked secure in sixth after a fine run up until Easter but they are now level on points with seventh-placed Bitton, who have a game in hand

Looking ahead, Pearse said: “We have six league matches left, so it’s up to the players to put in the performances to get selected for the Les Phillips Cup semi-final [at home to Shepton Mallet on April 30] and cement sixth position in the league.

“We have lost 14 league games so far - that’s too many, and I don’t expect us to lose another one.”

Not losing another game will be easier said than done for Town, who face fourth-placed Melksham twice either side of a trip to second-placed Bradford in the space of six days.

The first of those is at Fairfax Park at home to Melksham tomorrow when the Robins will be without star striker Jack Taylor, though Pearse attached little blame to the striker after his sending off at Bitton.

“The referee was poor throughout,” Pearse said.

“Jack was right next to us when he was given his second yellow for dissent, and he hadn’t really said anything - he had only questioned a decision, as he has a right to do.

“It’s an opportunity for someone to step up and make something happen in his absence.

“It comes down to the players. We are a young side on paper but everyone has a good amount of football behind them at a good level, so hopefully they can start providing that spark again.”

Pearse - who admitted "it doesn't get much tougher" than the week they have coming up - hopes to welcome back Josh White and Mark Armstrong for Saturday’s match, which kicks off at 3pm.

Elsewhere this weekend, Bridgwater Town Reserves face a big game in their battle to avoid the Somerset County League Premier Division drop.

Town's second string, three points above the drop zone going into the weekend, travel to basement outfit Wells City Reserves.

At the other end of the table, Middlezoy Rovers could move up to second if they win at Clevedon United and Fry Club slip up at Ilminster Town.

Zoy continued their excellent campaign with a 3-0 win at Wrington Redhill last time out and will be looking to carry on from where they left off.