CAPTAIN Dan Smith says Luctonians are ready to fight to the bitter end and the players will stay next season regardless of what league they are in.

The Mortimer Park club are in the midst of a relegation battle in National League 2 North and have just two games to save themselves.

They are just one point above the dreaded drop zone having earned a valiant 10-10 draw against Chester last Saturday.

Birmingham & Solihull and Hull, two of the sides who currently occupy the relegation places, face each other this weekend, meaning that Lucs realistically have to beat Harrogate to ensure their destiny is in their own hands come the last game of the season.

"We spoke about six or seven weeks ago when it became even more apparent that we were going to be in a relegation battle and had a team meeting," said Smith.

"I said, 'hands up who wants to play next season'?

"Everyone put their hands up, no matter what league we will be in.

"We will still be the top rugby side in the county and the coaches will stay on.

"These guys who come to watch, come to watch Luctonians, not who we are against.

"Next year, they are still going to come and supporters will still be behind us.

"Everyone is there because they love playing for Luctonians."

More than 500 fans watched Lucs' home game last Saturday, a match which really they should have won.

"Immediately after the game, there was a sense of disappointment because we thought we could have gone on and win the game," said Smith.

"But, with the other teams losing, it puts us a point closer to safety and it is in our hands.

"Ideally, we will get five points and Hull will win, meaning that they will be four points behind us."

This is Lucs' fifth season in National 2 League North and they finished 10th last year.

Smith believes a lack of experience has cost his team during this campaign.

"People thought the team this year was similar to last year's, but we have had seven, eight, nine players missing," said Smith.

"They were not regular players, but that is a lot of depth to the squad.

"In the middle part of the season, you need a bit nous and experience.

"We had Chris Jacques unavailable and no Chuck (Alex Davdison) from last season.

"Having someone like Paul Hulland would be been a huge help.

"The younger players have a lot of heart of endeavour, but the little things to close games out has been missing at times."

Louis Silver, who was recalled by his parent club Coventry last week, is set to stay at Butts Park Arena.