Needham Market boss Richard Wilkins knows his side are in a ‘dogfight’.

The Bloomfields outfit entertain Hendon on Saturday afternoon in a Bostik Premier fixture, the Marketmen having won just once in their last 11 league matches.

It has dragged them ever closer to the bottom of the table – they are currently fourth bottom. And while only one team goes down this season – that place currently being held by Burgess Hill (21 points), Needham’s 25 points looks far from rosy.

“We are in a dog fight down there, we know that,” Wilkins said.

“We are making individual mistakes and that is costing us dear.

“I’ll feel like the same old record, saying the same things, but that is the case. We are making mistakes, we are having no luck at all.

“We could do a change. I would like a team to batter us, but we have one shot, score and take the three points.

“It’s been that kind of season.”

Needham entertain a Hendon side who are in sixth place in the table, but have three games in hand on the three teams above them. They are serious play-off challengers.

So, it doesn’t get any easier for Needham Market and they will have to be at their very best to get something from Saturday’s clash.

“When we played Hendon earlier in the season, we actually played well, losing just 0-1,” said Wilkins.

“We seem to do quite well against teams higher up the league. We just need to keep it tight at the back because we are always likely to score goals.”

But it’s points, not performances, Needham could do with now. There are plenty of games to go and the fact Burgess Hill have only won one in 12 gives the Marketmen a tiny bit of breathing space.

Wilkins is happy with the squad commitment, however and says morale is still high.

“Letting points slip by is no good, but the boys are giving it their all, that is all I can ask.”

Wilkins has brought in Brendan Ocran from fellow Bostik Premier side Billericay Town. He can play anywhere in defence or as an attacking winger.

Also, Callum Sturgess from Colchester United, who is a left sided full back or wing-back.

With striker Jamie Griffiths out injured, the club was boosted this week with the news Keiran Morphew, Dan Morphew and Luke Ingram have extended their contracts.