JOE Royle believes one win and a draw from their remaining three games will be enough to score a top-six spot.But the Blues boss knows the team will have to play better than they did at Gillingham when they meet Nottingham Forest and Cardiff at home, with a trip to Sheffield United squeezed in between.

By Derek Davis

JOE Royle believes one win and a draw from their remaining three games will be enough to score a top-six spot.

But the Blues boss knows the team will have to play better than they did at Gillingham when they meet Nottingham Forest and Cardiff at home, with a trip to Sheffield United squeezed in between.

Royle was not happy with the display but accepts it is all about points and not performances.

He said: "Even when we lost three in a row we didn't play as badly as that. But the spirit has been terrific and they were angry with themselves at half time.

"Give credit to Gillingham who rushed us and scurried around to close us down and stop us playing.

"We had a few words at half time and made changes, which are nice when they work.

"Drissa got a hold of Sidibe – sometimes literally – but what had been a problem for us first-half waned.

"They then put more high balls into the box, and we can deal with that now.

"We did improve in the second half and might have had a couple more goals late on.

"At this stage of the season it is about results. Other results went for us and we are in a good position.

"We probably need a win and a draw to be in with a great chance, while three wins will do it."

Blues went behind when Matt Elliott brought down the speedy Patrick Agyemang and John Hills converted.

But Town hit back in the second half with two good goals.

Royle said: "I have no complaints with the penalty decision. At that stage they looked more likely to score a second, but we got a grip on the game.

"It was two great pieces of quality from Martijn Reuser. He is so good at free-kicks we expect him to score every time. Then he put in a terrific cross for a super Darren Bent header."

Tommy Miller is a doubt for Saturday's home game with Nottingham Forest after struggling with a tight hamstring, while it is hoped Kelvin Davis will be fine after his stomach bug and that no-one else is affected following Jermaine Wright's earlier illness.