DEFENDER Graham Hutchison insists Worcester City cannot allow negative feelings to seep into the changing room as they battle to avoid the drop.

Worcester have gone more than four months without a win in Vanarama National League North and only a better goal difference than Gainsborough Trinity is keeping them out of the relegation zone.

They suffered a 2-0 loss to Boston United at Bromsgrove’s Victoria Ground on Saturday in a game caretaker boss John Snape had pinned his hopes on winning.

However, Hutchison has urged his team-mates not to dwell on past results and to remain positive as they prepare to host 11th-placed Brackley Town tonight (7.45pm).

“Clearly we did not go home happy about the result on Saturday as we wanted to get the three points,” said the 24-year-old.

“We knew it was a big game but it has been and gone so we need to put it behind us.

"There is no point dwelling on it as we have got a big game tonight and want to put on a good show.

“If people outside of the changing room want to be down and negative that’s fine as that’s their own opinion.

“But we need to shut everything out.

“The changing room door needs to stay closed and all the chat outside of it needs to be kept outside as the lads need to stay positive.

“We have got eight games left now and there are not a lot of points to play for so it will be over before we know it.

“We have got to make sure we stay as a collective unit and see where that gets us which I believe will be out of the relegation zone.”

Despite their 17-match winless streak in the league Hutchison reckons a first victory since November 12 is “not far away”.

Although City lost 3-0 to Brackley in the FA Cup in October they claimed an impressive 2-0 win in the reverse league fixture in September.

“Brackley are a good side and we know we are going to be in for a tough test,” said Hutchison who is expected to start tonight.

“But we went to their place and beat them earlier this season so we know we can do it.

“We just need to put in similar performances to what we did at Nuneaton and against Darlington especially.

“We need to keep grafting and working hard because if we start rolling over it is not going to do anyone any favours. We might as well give the three points up.

“But the lads are still upbeat and positive and that’s the way it needs to be.

“Ultimately that win will come and as soon as we get it I think we will go on a little run.

“We are setting up a lot better now and looking a lot better structurally so the next three points are not far away.”