DESPITE a run of just two points in four games, Altrincham manager Graham Heathcote remains optimistic about his side's chances of avoiding relegation.

The Robins fell to just one place and two points above the relegation zone after losing 3-2 at home to Burton on Saturday, making their three remaining league games in 2006 vitally important.

Alty face a trip to Kidderminster on Saturday before a Boxing Day derby clash with Northwich and an end of year face-off against Forest Green Rovers and Heathcote is confident his team can turn their fortunes around.

Speaking exclusively to SAM Sport, he said: "Our position does concern me but I'm not about to get sucked into worrying about the rest of the season.

"There are only eight points separating the bottom 10 teams in the league so a couple of wins could send anyone shooting up the table.

"We have to turn things around at some stage, especially away from home, but what it all adds up to is a dramatic end to the season and some good games of football for the fans.

"There are periods of the season that appear on paper as potential periods for picking up points and this is one of them.

"But the reality is that you just have to go out there and play each game as it comes rather than putting pressure on yourselves to pick up points at any certain time."

Heathcote's main worry is his side's lack of goals.

Alty have scored only 22 goals in 21 games so far this season, mainly due to the fact that last season's top scorer Colin Little has missed two months of the season through injury.

But the Robins boss is still looking for players to step up to the mark and relieve the burden on his recovering striker.

"I've been pleased with our performances and I think if we play like we did in the first half against Burton then we should be alright," he said.

"We are still a better side than we were last year, we have just had problems scoring goals.

"That hasn't been helped by the fact that Colin (Little) has been injured most of the season but we don't have the finances to go out there and get another striker.

"The loan market is possibly an option but any striker good enough to score 20 goals in the Conference wouldn't be up for loan anyway.

"We are very lucky to have Colin and we do need him to have a good second half of the season.

"But now the question I'm asking is can someone else step up to the mark?' because we need everyone to chip in."