Weymouth player-manager Steve Claridge today conceded the premier division title to Crawley.

Reds are nine points clear at the top of the table following Monday's 1-0 win at Worcester.

Weymouth can reduce that to six tomorrow with victory against Stafford because Crawley do not have a game.

But Claridge has already ruled his side out of the running with six games of the season remaining.

He said: "I can't see them being caught now. They may say there's still a way to go, but let's just say that if I was in their position, I would be very confident indeed.

"Over the course of the season they have proved to be the best team, so you have to say they deserve it.

"Good luck to them and hopefully we will be in their position next season when we will have a better idea of what we need to do."

Weymouth were favourites for the title when Claridge joined the club at the beginning of the season.

He turned down a new contract to play for Millwall and took a pay-cut to link up with high-profile chairman Ian Ridley.

The Dorset side suffered just two defeats in their first 21 games and were six points clear of Crawley at Christmas.

But a 1-0 home defeat against Reds in early January started a terrible run.

Weymouth have won six times in 15 games since the turn of the year. By contrast, Crawley have won 11 out of 16.

Claridge said: "If we were playing well and had everyone available, then I think we would be capable of winning all our remaining fixtures. But we are so low in confidence and not playing well, so you have to say we don't have much of a chance.

"We have lost more than we have won since January and you can't do that if you want to be challenging."

It is not just with results that Weymouth are struggling. Claridge has been frustrated in the transfer market as he desperately looks to strengthen his side.

He tried to sign eight players before Wednesday's transfer deadline, including two £10,000 offers, but only managed to secure Plymouth teenager Gary Sawyer and experienced Exeter defender Chris Curran.

Claridge said: "Our main problem has been when we needed to strengthen we couldn't. We were hit by injuries around February but we didn't have any money available then.

"Now we have some cash but we haven't been able to spend it. Teams don't want to release their players because of the restructuring at the end of the season.

"It means we have had to get YTS boys in, people who are not good enough and people who basically didn't really want to be here."

Crawley need three wins and a draw from their remaining games to guarantee their place in the Conference next season.

However, if they continue their winning run and other results go their way, Reds could clinch the title by Easter Monday when they travel to Welling United.

Reds also have two legs of the Dr Martens Cup final to play against Moor Green, the first match is away on Tuesday.

Crawley manager Francis Vines refuses to believe Weymouth have given up the title race.

He said: "If Weymouth or any other team have conceded the title, then they won't mind putting out a reserve team for the rest of the season. I don't think they are going to do that because, although they may say it, they are not just going to give up and nor are we."

Meanwhile, striker Danny Marney has signed for Crawley permanently on a two-year contract.

The 22-year-old had been at Albion for five years, but was released early so he could join Reds before Wednesday's transfer deadline. His contract was due to expire in the summer.

Marney, who has enjoyed two loan spells at Crawley this season, said: "I'm very sad to be leaving Brighton after five very happy years. But I'm delighted to be joining a successful club with a bright future."

Vines said: "It has taken us six months to secure Danny's services on a permanent basis, so I am very happy with the signing. We now have four of the best forwards in the division."