VAUXHALL Motors manager Carl Macauley fears the race to beat the drop will go to the wire.

The Rivacre Park boss saw his side's five match un-beaten run come to an end with a 2-1 home defeat to Nuneaton Borough on Saturday.

The Motormen are still looking over their shoulders but they have the chance to put distance between themselves and the bottom two with two matches this week - at Kettering tomorrow and a tough test at home to North-wich Vics on Tuesday.

Macauley said: 'We know we are still in a relegation fight and we need to get points on the board quickly. It is going to go to the wire and it is going to be hard but if we show that kind of form I'm certain we will remain in this league.'

Macauley described Vauxhall's defeat by promotion chasers Nuneaton as 'cruel'.

Despite equalising through home debutant Lee Furlong's second goal in three matches, Motors were left to rue their luck as Nuneaton finished off two swift counter attacks to steal the points.

Macauley said: 'It was a top performance from the lads and the result was very cruel. We controlled the game and even if we had got a point I would have been disappointed.

'But there are still lots of positives to take from the match and when the opposition manager tells you the best team lost you know you have played well.'

The Motormen made a fast start to the match and were unlucky not to take an early lead on 10 minutes when Karl O'Donnell fired over after a superb run and cross from Furlong.

Nuneaton were struggling to cope with Vauxhall's new-look strike partnership and the visitors were grateful for the woodwork moments later when O'Donnell's turn and shot struck the far post.

The home side continued to dominate throughout the first half but were stunned on the stroke of half time when the visitors grabbed an undeserved lead after FA Cup hero Gez Murphy finished off some good approach play.

The second period began with Vauxhall in dominant mood and on the hour mark they finally got their reward with a well-taken equaliser.

A Wayne McDermott corner was only half cleared by the Nuneaton defence, allowing Furlong to fire home through a ruck of players from the edge of the area.

Motors continued to surge forward in search of a priceless winner but the visitors' rearguard held firm.

With 20 minutes to go the frustration was complete when Gary Fitzpatrick finished off a rare Nuneaton attack to claim all three points for Borough. nThe Motormen were due to visit Barrow on Tuesday but the match was off due to a waterlogged pitch.