MARK BETTS believes that an injury to defender Jesse Wilson cost Burnham in their 3-2 defeat to Thame United on Saturday.

Burnham held a 2-1 lead in the crucial Hellenic Premier Division fixture at The Gore and had made all three subs when Wilson was forced off with a head injury.

Thame, the league leaders, took full advantage to score twice and secure all three points, leaving The Blues bottom of the table.

However, Betts insists his side can avoid relegation this season if they can reproduce that display in their final three matches.

The joint-boss told the Observer: “We carried on where we left off against Ardley. We played very well then so it was a question of could we take that into Saturday.

“They are always upsets when bottom plays top. We were two goals ahead after 16 minutes and out-played Thame until they scored three minutes before half-time.

“That goal gave them a lift but we continued to take the game to them in the second half. They were getting really frustrated when we lost Jesse. He has been instrumental to us in the last couple of games.

“Thame applied themselves and scored after a few of our guys got a bit leggy. That’s when holes started to appear and they got their goals. At the time of the injury the lads were amazing but Thame are not top for no reason.

“They were still not convincing at 3-2 and could not put us to sleep. We had chances and made them look average, and they had some nice compliments after.

“Thame have been together all season but we’ve had six-eight weeks and are just getting a bit of stability now.”

Burnham gave Thame a fright by taking an early lead through Wilson and Josh Jackman.

However, Dan West got a goal back before the interval and Thame won the game after the break with Matt Johnston and Lynton Goss on target.

Burnham welcome Royal Wootton Bassett Town to The Gore this Saturday (3pm), and Betts has backed his team to avoid relegation this season.

He said: "If we come out of the traps like we did against Thame then I'm confident we can get a nice cushion to take into half-time, but we will need to see the game out.

"If we play like that for the remaining three games then we should pick up nine points. If we play the way we have done it will be possible to take maximum points, we will go for it.

"In reality two wins should be enough because Henley have got a tough run in."