DORCHESTER Town manager Craig Laird said the club need to pick up 10 to 15 points as soon as possible to avoid a relegation dogfight.

The Magpies sit in 19th position in the league going into tomorrow’s game with Hayes & Yeading (3pm), but could be dragged into the mix if the bottom teams can capitalise on their games in hand.

But with Monday’s trip to Hitchin postponed, Laird was pleased to give his paper-thin squad a chance to recover.

He said: “It was quite nice to have the rest as a couple of the lads are struggling with groin and hamstring injuries, as well as illness, so it was a welcome rest.

“It’s a long trip to Hitchin so it was a welcome postponement. Hopefully by putting it back by a month or so it will give us the chance to strengthen and let the players recover as the league schedule slows down a bit.”

Despite the Magpies going six games without a win, Laird has been pleased with the attitude of his squad and insists that, with the right additions, they can improve on their league form.

He said: “The spirit in the camp is very good. It’s just as good as anywhere else that I’ve been involved.

“It’s a good group of players and a good nucleus within the squad, we just need to take the pressure off them.

“We’re still trying to bring in a couple of players.

“We’re in negotiations with a couple of clubs but so far it hasn’t come off as we would want, so we’re still waiting for these players to sign.

“Hopefully it’ll be soon and we can put them into the squad for Saturday.”

Hayes & Yeading find themselves third from bottom in the league and scrambling for points, and the Dorchester boss is adamant that his team needs a result.

He said: “They’re one of our closest rivals in that mini-league we find ourselves in. We need to compete with them and not lose the game.

“They are tough matches at this stage of the season but we need 10-15 points as soon as possible. We need to fight and scrap to try and get three points.

“Hopefully everyone will be fit. We’ll assess how everyone’s injuries have progressed through the week.

“I’m sure the rest on Monday will have helped. They are ongoing injuries from earlier in the season, but it shows the character of the players that they carry on playing through the pain.

“But that’s why we’re trying to bring people in, to help these lads so they can rest and recuperate.”