Francis Vines insists Carshalton Athletic will go for broke when they host Tonbridge Angels in a crucial Ryman Premier relegation battle this weekend.

The Robins sit one place above Tonbridge, who occupy the final relegation spot, only by virtue of goal difference.

And Vines is demanding his side take a positive approach when the sides tangle at Colston Avenue.

He said: “I don’t think it is a case of not losing - we need to win the game.

“We need three points for so many reasons - obviously to start moving back up the table but also to get some positivity back.

“We have to get back to winning ways fast and I expect to see far more effort than of late.

“It is a massive game and my job is to make sure the players realise that.”

Tuesday night’s cancellation of the clash with Horsham stifled Carshalton’s hopes of erasing the memories of back-to-back defeats, the most recent a dismal 2-1 loss at bottom club Waltham Abbey.

Craig Faulconbridge grabbed the Robins goal in a game that left Vines a frustrated figure.

He added: “We had been playing pretty well recently so I knew there was a bad performance due to come along, but two in succession is unacceptable.

“It was extremely disappointing.

“We had very little in terms of quality and did not look like winning the game.

“But we have to put that behind us and move forward.”

The Robins boss took some crumbs of comfort from the display of Michael Lee Charles, who stepped in to Faulconbridge’s starting spot as the striker was suffering a knee knock.

Vines added: “Michael did what I expected - he held the ball up well and won his share of headers.

“With the games coming thick and fast we need that flexibility and having him around will help us.”

Carshalton Athletic’s next three matches: Feb 20 Tonbridge Angels (h), 23 Hendon (a), 27 Canvey Island (h)