Carshalton Athletic boss Tommy Williams has admitted time is running out in his attempts to save the club from relegation.

Following last weekend’s 4-0 defeat at East Thurrock United, the Robins remain bottom of the Ryman Premier League – four points from safety, having played up to six games more than their nearest rivals and with only 10 games remaining.

The East Thurrock result marked four consecutive defeats. They host Harrow Borough this weekend before a vital trip to fellow strugglers Lewes on Tuesday.

Despite the ticking clock, Williams continued to remain positive.

He said: “We may be running out of games but the other sides around us keep losing as well. While we’re not picking up results, other clubs are also finding it difficult to pick up points. If we get something from the Harrow and Lewes games, then it is game on.

“We need to get to third from bottom, that is the safety mark. We know if we get there, we’re out of trouble.”

Williams put Saturday’s defeat at East Thurrock down to the misfortune of injuries and a lucky second goal.

Already without Ola Songambu (family commitments), Pelayo Gomez Pico (ankle), Ricardo Joseph (knee) and Nathaniel Pinney (suspension), Williams lost Justyn Roberts and Sean O’Toole to first-half injuries.

He said: “We started brightly and deserved to be in front. But then we lost Sean and Justyn, which upset us a little and changed the game.

“Then, their second goal was deflected and it looped over Nick (Hamann) and could have gone anywhere, but it went in.”

Williams is hoping to secure the services of centre-back Alton Thelvell until the end of the season.

Thelvell made his first appearance for the Robins since October in February’s 4-2 defeat at Canvey Island – but issues with registration forms need to be resolved to keep him at Colston Avenue.