JOINT boss Gary Horgan admits a lack of mental toughness in difficult times has been a huge contributor to Supermarine’s struggles in the Southern Premier this season.

Marine are almost certain to be relegated unless they beat Cambridge tomorrow, other results go their way and they subsequently gain a reprieve for finishing fourth-from-bottom.

However, such a state of affairs is hugely unlikely and the probability is that the Webb’s Wood outfit will be playing in Division One South & West in 2012/13.

And Horgan explained: “We went through a spell of getting one point out of 18 at the start of the season and then one point in 21 around Christmas.

“If we had got an extra two points in each of those spells then we wouldn’t even be having the conversation about relegation, but that’s the fine margins we’re dealing with.

“It’s my belief that we were good enough to stay up, maybe we just didn’t want it enough.

“We went to Luton in the FA Trophy in December and people were quite happy to play when we were winning and things were going well.

“But when it started getting sticky around Christmas and we really needed some character, we were lacking a little bit there.

“We took to long to realise we were in trouble and by the time we did, we were almost running out of games. We’ve had a fantastic run since but left ourselves too much to do.”

Marine have to win at Cambridge tomorrow to have any chance of finishing fourth from bottom, in order to give themselves a chance of earning a reprieve.

Even if they were to triumph at the City Ground, Hemel Hempstead and Evesham would need to do no better than a draw each for Marine to finish top of the relegation spots.

“We said all along that we wanted to stay up by right, but I’m sure the committee and the chairman will take whatever is on offer,” added Horgan.

“We’ll be urging everyone to get a result and if results elsewhere go our way then it could keep us up. Our season isn’t over yet.

“Unfortunately Cambridge need to win as well and it’s a difficult place to go at the best of times, so it will be an extremely tough game.”

Centre-back Tom Cole and striker Bradley Gray are both doubtful with hamstring.and rib injuries respectively.

Skipper Dave Bampton is suspended, while left-back Danny Allen is unavailable.