HEADS up in the Barnstaple Town versus Winterbourne Utd match. (Pic www.platinumimages.co.uk)

DEFEAT at the hands of fellow strugglers Winterbrourne at the weekend, albeit narrow, has left Barnstaple Town’s future in the Premier Division in the balance.

Games against two more of the bottom teams in the space of five days this week will effectively decide whether Town stay up or if they will be facing a lower level of football next season, says manager Tom Bulley.

Eleven points adrift at the bottom of the Premier Division after their 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Winterbourne, Town were due to travel to third from bottom Bridport last night (Tuesday) and then entertain next-to-bottom Wells on Saturday.

It is a tough ask but Bulley is not giving up yet.

“We know it’s a long shot, but if these two results go our way we could have a chance. We would be five points behind Wells, with a game in hand,” he said.

“We will pretty much know by the end of the week where we will be in the future. If we can stay up that will be great. If not, we will have to build for the future and try to jump straight back up.”

“Saturday’s result was a disappointment.It was an even game and I thought a draw would have been a fair result, said Bulley.

“They were poor and we were not a lot better. But we did give a better performance than in our previous couple of games.

“It was a game from which we needed a good result and we did have chances. Keiron Jewell hit the crossbar from a corner in the first half and Mitch Ciseneros was on goal from 10 yards out, but his shot hit the keeper. Then we had a penalty shout for two hands in the back of Keiron Jewell.

“But they took their chance and went away with the points. It was disappointing and unlucky. That is just how it is when you are at the bottom.”