FAIRFORD manager Paul Braithwaite insists his side can still win Hellenic League Division One West despite their current run of three straight defeats, writes CHRISTOPHER PANKS.

The Gloucestershire side have not won since November 9 and are 14 points behind league leaders Tytherington in sixth place, but Braithwaite feels the title race is still on.

“We'll try to finish as high in the league as possible, that's our goal. I still wouldn't look past trying to win it, to be honest,” said the boss, whose side travel to Hook Norton tomorrow.

“We went on a 13-game unbeaten run at the end of last season, so we'll look to continue what we're doing.”

Town were three goals down within 17 calamitous minutes against Purton last Saturday as a series of mistakes were punished, and Braithwaite said that eradicating these errors is critical.

“Unfortunately we made three errors and we've done the same in the last two games,” he said.

“We've had three weeks in a row of this. I don't know if it's nerves or lack of mental preparation, but we can't do anything about that as managers.

“We spoke to the boys about it, they're annoyed and upset about it, but as managers there's nothing we can do.

“The mental preparation is on them, they need to make sure that they're switched on, communicating and they're aware of what's going on.”

Fairford may have only scored one goal in their last three matches, but this lack of potency is not a concern to Braithwaite.

“We averaged three goals a game earlier this season, before the last three games," he said.

“We're having a blip right now and that's it. It's two in the league and one in the cup.

“I can't fault the lads’ effort, there's no morale issues, there's no problem there, we just need to concentrate a bit more, once that comes we'll be alright.”