TWO East Gwent teams need to produce a powerful performance in the final month of the season to escape relegation.

Currently, Division 3's Thornwell Red & White look in the most precarious position with just nine points to play for, and manager Steve Bidmead admits his men need some luck.

"Lady Luck is just not on our side," he said after his team lost 4-2 at Wainfelin Bluebirds.

"Our scorers were Tony Reynolds, and a 30-yard beauty from Jordan Locke, but I just don't know how we lost.

"We were the better team again and Bluebirds only came into our half three times in the second half, but we just can't score when we are on top."

Thornwell are third from bottom of Division 3 with 17 points from 27 games, but both Trinant (17 from 24) and Whiteheads (16 from 26) have games in hand and can overhaul them. Fourth-from-bottom Race have 18 points from 23 matches.

There were concerns that the league might relegate four clubs this season, although that is unlikely to be the case.

The Football Association of Wales wants the league to increase divisions to 18 teams, although that rule is due to come into force for the 2016-17 season.

Also in Division 3, Caldicot Castle did themselves – and Thornwell – some good when they won 3-1 at Race.

Castle are nine points clear of Race and are fifth from bottom, and manager Dave Adamson is determined his team will not be dragged down into the relegation dogfight.

"We put in a much-improved performance after last week's debacle at Trinant," he said.

"James McKeon and veteran Grant Avery came into the side and gave us the much-needed quality we've been missing.

"Grant put Joe O'Brien through to make it 1-0 and Grant made it 2-0.

"With the wind behind them in the second half, Race put us under pressure but some fantastic tackles by Ciaran Adamson, Jake Withey and some exceptional saves from Dave Hayward kept us ahead

"They did get a goal back but, after good work from James McKeon, Avery capped his man of the match performance with our third.

"Hopefully this will kick us on so we don't get involved in the relegation battle."

Adamson revealed he had "begged" Avery to play for him.

"Grant is quality, he just wants to play vets (veterans) football this year, but I begged him to play as we were so rubbish last week."