DARREN Perrin believes Melksham Town will have to defy all the odds if they are to climb into the top three of the table this weekend when they host Bristol Manor Farm.

Melksham earned two tough away wins at Street on Saturday and Hallen on Tuesday night, with a vicious Ben Thomson delivery turned into their own net by a defender on each occasion.

However, Ash Barnett and Ricky Hulbert both picked up knocks in midweek to join Lee Fielding on the sidelines.

Leigh Rogers is also suspended this weekend, while Gary Higdon and Dave Thompson are away, meaning Melksham face an uphill task when they look to leapfrog third-placed Manor Farm with a win at the Conigre.

“From a results perspective, it was a very productive week for us, although in truth, the games were both atrocious,” said Perrin.

“They were played on two boggy and bumpy surfaces and that made life hard, but fair play to the players; they dug in and got two important wins for our cause.

“Maybe on Tuesday night, we could have won by a few more goals but at the end, we were just glad to win, however it came about.

“It’s just a shame we are absolutely decimated by injuries now. We are down to the bare bones.

“It’s a big game and one we really look forward to, it’s just a shame we have to go into it with this situation we find ourselves in.

“We would love to win and we will do everything we can to do so but I don’t hold out too much hope at the moment.”