WEYMOUTH chairman Ian Ridley believes relegation from the Blue Square Premier is “not a forgone conclusion.”

Following Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat at Histon, the Terras now require six points from their final two games to stand any chance of preserving their Conference status and despite the club not having tasted success in their last 14 encounters Ridley is adamant such a revival is possible.

He said: “It was a much better performance at Histon and we really deserved something from the game.

“I should have left there disappointed with the result, especially as York City and Grays Athletic both won, but I was actually really encouraged by the way the team fought for the cause.

“These players have had to put up with a lot over the season and it would be easy for them to throw in the towel.

“Fortunately in Bobby Gould, we now have a manager who won’t let them do that. He has been staying in the town all week and working them, and with Marcus Browning’s help, the boys are responding.

“I had a talk to them at the hotel where they were having their pre-match meal in the afternoon before the game at Histon and outlined to them the state of the club and possible scenarios for next season.

“I think they appreciated someone being straight with them and I also think they have come to appreciate that they have just a week not only to save the club from relegation but also to restore their own reputations, which have taken a bit of a battering.”

The Terras will take on York at the Wessex Stadium tomorrow before closing their campaign with a clash at Wrexham on Sunday.

City and Barrow both lie five points above Weymouth with far superior goal differences, which means Gould’s men need to beat the Minstermen and then follow it up with a win at the Racecourse Ground in the hope that one of those relegation contenders lose on the final day.

York will travel to already-relegated Lewes on Sunday while Barrow face a trip to mid-table side Eastbourne Borough.

Despite the enormity of the task, Ridley continues to be optimistic. He said: “Strange as it may sound, I now think we could still stay up.

“If the players show the same attitude as they did at Histon against York, who are now virtually safe, we can get the win we need to take it to the last day at Wrexham, who are struggling for form themselves.

“Six points could well keep us up and from wondering where a point might be coming from after the Ebbsfleet game last weekend, I can see these lads giving everything to save us.

“The York game is massive for us and I just hope that we get a big crowd to roar us on and keep our hopes alive. If we do, I now feel confident that the team will at least be giving their all for the club.

“If we are going down – and it is not a foregone conclusion – let’s go down fighting and with our heads held high.”