Scunthorpe United could find themselves in the League One relegation zone if they lose at sixth-placed Notts County on Saturday.

But winger Andy Barcham says the Iron will continue to use climbing into the top six rather than away from the bottom four as their motivation to end a wretched run of results.

Without a win, and a goal, in their last four matches, Scunthorpe travel to Meadow Lane needing to rediscover the sort of form that has seen them beaten by only Sheffield Wednesday in their five other games against League One's top six.

The last five days, which included a dreadful defeat to Hartlepool United and an FA Cup first round exit for the first time in 11 years, has contributed to one of the lowest weeks at Glanford Park for some time.

Barcham, though, is keen not to lose sight of the Iron's long-term goal, even though it would appear their short-term one may have shifted.

"Obviously being down there, you are going to be concerned," said Barcham, when asked if United are in a relegation battle.

"But no-one connected with the club wants to be where we are, so in that respect we have to stay positive, especially with the amount of games left and the busy Christmas period.

"Despite the results we've had being so poor, we're still fortunate enough to only be 10 points off the play-offs. You can only be positive about that.

"Hopefully we can still make up the ground, but sooner or later we know we have to produce something."

Last weekend's Hartlepool horror show coincided with Barcham's return to action after a fortnight on the sidelines with a calf injury.

Signed from Gillingham during the summer, the 24-year-old admits he is still some way short of the quality he knows he can produce.

"There's a lot more to come from me, but I think that's the same from the team in general," he added.

"At the start of the season I think everybody thought it was a case of 'it'll come' because we were playing some really good football, we just weren't getting the results.

"Recently though, the performances haven't been there and if that's the case you can't expect to win games.

"We can keep telling ourselves it's not too late to climb the table, but something has got to happen soon."