ASSISTANT-manager Danny Saxby has urged struggling Christchurch to become masters of their own destiny by avoiding a scramble for points against the Wessex League’s top dogs.

Priory remain embroiled in a battle to avoid the drop with only one point to show for seven Premier Division matches in 2015.

Goals from Gary Austin, Robbie Pittman and substitute Matt Andrews consigned Adie Arnold’s men to their latest setback, a 3-0 defeat at Horndean on Saturday.

With eight games to play, Christchurch have a two-point cushion over second-bottom Fareham having played two games more.

Six of those crucial showdowns are at Hurn Bridge but with title-chasers Petersfield and Winchester City the visitors in their last two games, Arnold’s right-hand man wants Priory to act fast.

Saxby told the Daily Echo: “The ball is in our court. If we can pick up three wins and maybe a draw or two, then hopefully that will be enough.

“Luckily, Fareham and Totton & Eling keep getting beaten as well. We saw this weekend’s results and felt like we had got out of jail again.

“We have pencilled in a couple of games that we fancy ourselves to take points from but we need to do it sooner rather than later.

“If we go into the last two needing anything then it will be very difficult for us. We know it is going to be hard but three wins is not an impossible ask because the performances are there.”

On the Horndean defeat, Saxby added: “We played well again and should have been one or two up at the break. That is the story of our season but there are plenty of positives to take forward.”