SUPERMARINE winger Nick Stanley knows his side must bounce back immediately from their midweek defeat to Redditch if they are to stand any chance of survival.

Marine travel to Hitchin tomorrow having lost 2-0 at home to their relegation rivals on Wednesday night, a result which saw them slip to seven points from safety in the Southern Premier.

A victory in the relegation six-pointer would have left them only a point away from their Worcestershire rivals, but Stanley told the Advertiser he and his team mates have no time to lick their wounds.

“Very little was said after the Redditch game because we all knew how important it was, and how vital it was we got the win,” he said. “We were all very disappointed with the defeat because we knew how hard it made the situation for us.

“We kept the ball well at times but as a team I don’t think we did enough to win, both going forward and at the back.

“But we can’t dwell on it really, and we have to get going again straight away because every game is massive for us. We take every game as it comes, and this one is the biggest for us now.

“If we don’t win this one it might be the time we start thinking we are going to struggle to stay up.”

The word ‘relegation’ is not one that is used often in the Supermarine dressing room at the moment, but Stanley admitted it might start to crop up in conversation if results don’t go their way over the next few weeks.

“We don’t talk about it at all really, and we need to keep it that way because it is very important for us to stay positive. We treat every game as positive and we believe we can get something out of it, and that is vital.

“But if we lose a few more I think relegation might start to creep into conversations, but we are confident we can get some points.”

Stanley does not know much about Hitchin, but is expecting another tough game in Hertfordshire.

“I think it will be similar to the Redditch game, he said. “I don’t think they will play a lot of football to be honest, but we will have to be at our best to take three points.”

Chippenham will bid to fair better when they travel to Redditch tomorrow.

The Bluebirds have endured a woeful 2012, with just one win in 10 games leaving a terminal dent in their promotion prospects.

Boss Adie Mings admits his side are bereft of belief, but the backroom boys have done their bit to ensure Chippenham make the trip to the midlands well prepared.

“A lot of it is a confidence thing,” said Mings.

“Speaking to a lot of the lads , I think they do feel under a bit of pressure with how the results have gone.

“It’s up top us to work ourselves out of itso that we can start getting points on the board.

“We had Redditch watched on Wednesday (at Supermarine) and try to prepare for them like we do for every team.”

Goalkeeper Tommy Smith will be between the sticks for the Bluebirds having been released by Salisbury.

He fills in for the injured Kevin Sawyer.

Meanwhile, Cirencester Town gave themselves a glimmer of hope of escaping the drop with a 1-0 derby win at Chippenham last weekend.

Rejuvenated veteran hitman Scott Griffin hit the winner - his third in as many outings - and will lead the line again when Arlesey arrive at the Corinium tomorrow.