BURNHAM FC manager Gary Meakin insists that his side can finish in mid-table this season.

The Blues have won just two of their first nine in the Southern Premier Division and occupy 20th position in the table.

They host Truro City at The Gore this Saturday, and Meakin argues it is a match his players can win.

He told the Observer: “It can go either way. Truro are in mid-table and have had a okay start.

“We’re not there yet, but we are in that same bracket of sides.

“We’re competitive in all games but just need to turn them into wins.

“We’ve played five of the top eight sides and we are probably not going to get a lot off of them.

“But we’re getting better and aren’t that far away. We are realistic and patient, and it will come eventually.” The Blues got back into the winning grove in the FA Cup on Saturday with a 2-1 victory at Thame United.

Thame suffered an early blow when Ellis Hercules saw red for saving a certain goal with his hand. Nathan Poulton converted the spot kick on nine minutes.

Burnham kept the ball in the second period and made sure of the first qualifying round tie with another goal on 80 minutes.

Kofi Lockhart-Adams was on target with a header low into the corner of the net.

The home side pulled one back late on, but Blues boss Meakin criticised their lack of attacking intent.

He argued: “It should and would’ve been a confidence booster but it felt like a non event the way it ended.

“Our players felt flat and Thame spoilt it.

“I don’t know what they were thinking and I’ve never seen it before. It was really strange and weird.

“It was a good win and a lot more comfortable than the scoreline suggests.

“It should’ve been five or six, and the red card spoilt the game completely.

“Thame just tried not to get bashed and it made the match less of a spectacle.

“After the red card, they went completely negative rather than giving it a go.

“Our instructions were to keep the ball, let them come and get it and then pick them off, but they went 4-4-1 with eight players on the edge of the box.

“If I was a fan, I would probably ask for my money back.” Meakin added: “A win is what it’s all about at the end of the day.

“It doesn’t matter how it comes or what the score is, so long as you’re into the next round.

“Look at our neighbours Slough, they would take a 2-1 win now.” The Blues have a home tie in the second qualifying round against Canvey Island on September 27.

Meakin wants his side to stay in the FA Cup for the opportunity to take on some of the biggest clubs in non-league football.

He said: “If you’re going to go out, you want to do it against a bigger and better team, and have a day out.

“Canvey will be a tough one, they are an established team and most of their players have been together for a few years.

“If you look at our home form, it’s probably not good to be drawn at The Gore, but we can win the game.” **PICK up a copy of the Observer, out now, for all the latest sports news and action** **FOLLOW the Observer on Twitter at @Observer_sports**