Frome Town manager Darren Perrin hopes for improved first-half performances

Darren Perrin is at a loss to explain his side's recent poor first-half performances but says things must improve.

Frome Town have not scored in the first half of a league match since November 10 but have put in several good displays after the break, including on Tuesday, when they came from 2-0 down to draw at Chippenham Town.

But, despite the Robins now sitting just two places and four points above the relegation zone, Perrin insists they will come through their difficult spell.

"We've had three years of unqualified success and five weeks of poor results," he said. "We're certainly not going to panic.

"We'd have taken a point before Tuesday's game, so to score twice in the last 15 minutes, the second one with 21 seconds left, we're delighted with a point. All credit to the players, in the second half we produced a really good performance.

"In the last five matches we've done the same, but we can't keep giving ourselves mountains to climb. Our first-half performances haven't been good enough and we haven't started games at all.

"We haven't done anything differently in the last four or five matches and we can't put our finger on what is causing the problem but we've got to improve.

"We knew that this was going to be the hardest season for us, and, with all the success off the pitch, we know that provided we stay in this division, which we will, we will become a stronger football club.

"All the players and staff care deeply about the club. The players all go out and try their best to get results, as do me and my staff."

Frome host Bashley on Saturday (3pm), knowing a win could lift them as many as four places in the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division.

Alex Lapham could be out for some time after suffering an ankle injury at Chippenham, with fears that he may have sustained ligament damage. Lewis Powell may return this weekend, while Josh Brigham is in full training and may return on Wednesday, when Town host local rivals Paulton Rovers in the last 16 of the Red Insure Cup (7.45pm).

Perrin says that he is keen to taste cup success this season but added that it will not be an easy game against an in-form Paulton side who are unbeaten in seven league matches.

"I want to go all the way in the Red Insure Cup or Somerset Premier Cup," he said.

"It's a nice break from league action but it will be a tough game – they're on a great run. Nick Bunyard has turned it around fantastically."

After winning a £50,000 grant from The Football Pools, Frome Town's 90-day makeover challenge begins on Monday.

Perrin believes that the improvements will benefit the club in many ways and said there is plenty more off-the-pitch development to come.

"In the next three months, some of the improvements are going to be fantastic," he said. "It may attract other players to come to the club when they see the facilities.

"And to be fair to the committee, this is only the start of it. There is a lot more that will happen off the pitch."