BASINGSTOKE director of rugby Jim Dixon insists that his side are still capable of avoiding relegation, despite last weekend's home defeat at the hands of fellow strugglers Civil Service.

Dixon described last Saturday's fixture at Down Grange as a "must-win game" and was deeply disappointed with his side's first-half display.

Civil Service raced into a 23-0 lead and 'Stoke were unable to recover, eventually losing 30-12. The result means that Basingstoke remain in the London division one relegation zone, two points from safety.

"Losing on Saturday makes staying up more difficult, there is no doubt about that, but all is not lost," Dixon said. "There are a number of games to go and the teams above us also lost at the weekend, so our status did not change.

"The boys were very dejected after Saturday because they did not perform, but they have got it in them to get out of the position.

"We have a great bunch of lads here. I thoroughly enjoy working with them and will continue to do so. You cannot fault the effort, but these are difficult circumstances and there is a lot of pressure on them.

"There is still all to play for and we have a good chance of retaining our position in this league."

New players, prop Richard Matthews and centre Jules Allfrey, made 'Stoke debuts last weekend. Both have come from Oxford University and Dixon is hopeful that they will be able to make an impact before the end of the season.

"Bringing in Richard and Jules means we have the squad. It is just a case of gelling in time," he said. "They are positions that needed strengthening and we have done that.

"Richard made a big difference in the scrum on Saturday and Jules came on and did well."

After the disappointment of losing to Civil Service, Dixon needs to pick up his players before Saturday's trip to Old Albanians (3pm).

The Hertfordshire side are also at the wrong end of the table, just four points above Basingstoke, in eighth place.

'Stoke lost 14-5 when the teams met at Down Grange earlier in the season and, while Dixon has been studying videos of that match, he expects to see a different side on Saturday.

"The Civil Service team that we played last week was entirely different to the one we played in October," he said.

"Clubs are spending a lot of money to get themselves out of trouble and that is something we have got to contend with. We have to expect the unexpected and concentrate on ourselves.

"Our defence will be crucial because that was what let us down last week. You cannot miss tackles and expect not to be punished, so this week we are working on that and building combinations with the new players."

Hookers Glenike Hawea and Jamie Folan both missed last week's match, forcing Dixon to play in the front row. Hawea is expected to return after suffering a haematoma in his calf, while Folan was working away and will be available for selection this week.