Tooting & Mitcham boss Billy Smith reckons he would be distraught if he tasted relegation for the first time in his managerial career at the end of this season.

The Terrors have lost their last five league matches and are just four points above the Ryman League Premier Division drop zone after losing 3-2 to bottom club Heybridge Swifts on Saturday, despite goals from Paul and Joe Vines.

It is a far cry from when Smith’s men were second in the table and dreaming of back-to-back promotions earlier in the season, with the Imperial Fields outfit now facing a fight for survival.

Reading’s Michael Antonio has returned to the club on a one month loan, but the veteran manager insists the club’s future must not rest in the hands of one man.

“Every game is a cup final now. We’ve only got a four point cushion. On current form, I’d say that means we are in a relegation scrap,” he said.

“I’ve been a football manager for 30 years and I’ve never ever had a team relegated under me. I’ll be doing my utmost to stop that from happening.

“Having spent all that time getting the team up, I’d be distraught if we were to go straight back down.

“We’ve got Michael back, but it can’t be down to one man to get us out of it. Everyone has to roll their sleeves up and get stuck in.

“It is a bad run, there is no two ways about that. We’ve put ourselves in a dodgy spot.

“But there are lots of points to play for and as long as we do not finish in that bottom four, I’ll be a happy man.”

Smith’s resources have been stretched in recent weeks with the suspension of skipper Alan MacLeod, while Dean Hamlin, Calum Crawley and Andy Howe face a race to be fit for Saturday’s clash with Carshalton Athletic.

And the Terrors’ boss, who bid farewell to Met Police-bound Ben Abbey at the weekend, is looking to add two loan signings to his ranks before Saturday.

Tooting lost 5-2 the last time they took on the Robins and Smith hopes his side can forget that mauling and prove they have the stomach for a fight.

“Carshalton are one of the best teams in the division. I’d put them right up there with Dover, so that shows the size of our task,” he added.

“You can bet I spoke to half the players that went to them in the summer, but we just can’t compete financially. We are short of a few quality players.

“We have to draw a line under the last game and forget about it. We have to believe we can win otherwise there is no point turning up.”

Tooting’s next three fixtures: Jan 24 Carshalton Athletic (a), Jan 31 Wealdstone (h) Feb 7 Margate (a).