SUSPENDED Tamworth skipper Chris Smith says the Lambs must show they are up for the fight as they head to Mansfield Town on Saturday.

The Lambs are desperate for points after the reshaped Conference table brought home their new predicament.

On the back of two 1-0 defeats – to Rushden and Histon this week – and having now lost the six points they won against Chester City, the Lambs sit just five points the drop zone.

It means they are desperate for a win as they travel to Field Mill, before entertaining Oxford United next Sunday.

Smith (left) will miss both games after picking up a yellow card at Histon but he is determined to rally the troops.

He said: "We are in a battle now, no question, and there are six or seven teams who could go down.

"I think we feel hard done by having lost the points but we have to get on with it now.

"The battle is on and we know we are in a fight.

"I have been in a relegation battle before with York City and went down from the league but this squad has more quality in it.

"I think when you are in this situation you have to get the basics right.

"We have got to work harder than our opponents and we have got to want it more. If we do that, then the quality will come through."

Smith admitted he is gutted to be missing the next two games but will do his best to inspire the team.

He added: "Personally I am gutted to be missing out, especially because of the nature of my yellow card against Histon.

"There was a melee and, as captain, I went to calm the situation down. I got grabbed and then found myself on the receiving end of a booking.

"It means I miss two massive games and that's hard to take. I won't be playing but I'll do my bit to gee the lads up.

"And in training, I will work hard. We all know that if you work hard in training, you play hard on the pitch.

"We have ten huge games now and we just have to stay together. A lot can, and no doubt will, still happen between now and the end of the season.

"Most teams have something to play for, be it promotion or avoiding relegation. As I say, it's a battle till the end."

The Lambs have further selection problems going into the game with Nick Wright (foot) still side-lined and Michael Blackwood (knee) doubtful.

Meanwhile, reflecting on back-to-back 1-0 defeats to Rushden and Histon, Lambs assistant manager Darron Gee said: "Both games were very similar in that we had chances but didn't take them and gave away sloppy goals.

"But this set of lads are trying desperately hard for the club and they are giving everything they can.

"It's going to be a scrap to stay in this division, we know that."