WEYMOUTH manager Bobby Wilkinson admitted the Terras’ chances of survival are becoming “smaller and smaller” after a 1-0 loss to Eastbourne Borough.

Ryan Bartley’s 36th-minute tap-in proved sufficient for a Boro side far from their best to beat a stuttering Weymouth still 23rd and five points from safety.

Brad Ash did hit the post as Weymouth mounted their only serious spell of pressure in the final 20 minutes, the Terras seeing several other half-chances come and go.

But the Terras are now left with only six Vanarama National League South matches to secure their status in the division for 2023/24.

READ MORE: Weymouth 0-1 Eastbourne Borough - report

However, Wilkinson confessed this result reduces their chances of achieving that target.

He told Echosport: “Belief’s getting smaller and smaller, isn’t it?

“I’ve used that word a lot because if I didn’t, I don’t think we’d even be competing now.

“It’s getting difficult, more and more, we’re running out of games. Stats don’t lie.

“We needed to win because we’d have gone two points out of it.

“Let’s not lie, we’ve had five opportunities to get out of this bottom four, opportunities to get really close. We’ve never done that.

“If we go down, that will be why.”

Wilkinson reiterated his belief that he is the manager to turn fortunes around at the Bob Lucas Stadium “whatever happens” this season.

He said: “I’m trying to build for the future and we’re going to have a massive turnaround in the summer, whatever happens.

“We’re working extremely hard off the pitch and my boys are working extremely hard on the pitch.

“Luck’s just not with Weymouth Football Club. That’s fine margins, football right now.

“I believe you have to earn your own luck but I believe if you work hard you’ll turn it around eventually.

“It might not be this year but it is what it is. I don’t look back. I’m not interested if people want to keep knocking us or telling me about wins.

“I know it more than anyone. I know where we are in the league. I came in to take this challenge on and we’re still fighting.”

Pressed on Eastbourne’s deployment of the dark arts, in clear evidence in a game fragmented by fouls and stoppages, Wilkinson said: “Teams are going to try and stop us.

“They know we’re good going forward. That’s a credit to us because we do create lots of chances.

“Not many people give us any credit out there any more. I see it, everyone wants to let me know where we are in the table.

“What I need to do is concentrate on my lads, trying to win games. What else could we have done?

“We’ve prepared properly, put a good side out again and the boys gave everything. I can’t come here and say anything (positive) because we didn’t win.”

Weymouth created several half-chances but clear openings were in short supply, leading Wilkinson to question his side’s bite up front.

“We just didn’t take our chances,” he said. “When you’re not creating chances is when I’d worry.

“We’ve created numerous chances and didn’t take it. You can’t roll a ball across the box and no-one taps in.

“They rolled the ball across and have got two at the back post ready to score. There’s the difference.”

Weymouth travel to Havant & Waterlooville on Good Friday (3pm).