Chris Lines says Bristol Rovers need to take six points from their next two home games if they are serious about rekindling their top-six credentials.

A run of six straight defeats – five of them in League One – has seen the Pirates slide away from the play-off zone.

But with Carlisle United and Gillingham next up at the Memorial Stadium, Lines insists the Pirates have to capitalise against clubs in the bottom half of the table.

"Saturday's game against Carlisle is a massive one," said midfielder Lines.

"We'll go into it as favourites to win and sometimes last season we struggled in that sort of game.

"But if we are going to be in or around the play-offs, these next two home games are ones we definitely have to be winning.

"We have played some of the best teams in the league in the last few weeks in Norwich, Leeds, MK Dons and Southampton, and didn't get the results we wanted.

"But with the next two games we have coming up at home, we have to be looking to get six points."

Lines knows Bristol Rovers' recent form is a stark contrast to the way they opened the season, when a good run took them to third spot in the table.

"Obviously, losing six games in a row is going to have an effect, but we just have to try and put it out of our minds and remember that we are still ninth in the league," said Lines.

"We have to be happy with the fact the next two games are both at home and if we can put a couple of wins together, it could push us back into the top six."

The Pirates have conceded 18 goals in their last six games and shipped three in eight minutes as they crashed out of the FA Cup to Southampton in their last outing.

"The manner in which we got beaten was probably the most disappointing thing, because we conceded three times in less than 10 minutes and let in some sloppy goals," said Lines.

"That's something that has crept into our game recently and we need to cut it out. The reason we were doing so well earlier in the season is that we weren't conceding those sort of goals.

"All 11 players have to be involved in defending and we will be working on it as a team in training this week. We are capable of getting goals at the other end and when you score twice at home, the least you should end up with is a draw."

Lines has chipped in with three goals this term and believes the 4-5-1 formation Bristol Rovers have employed in their last couple of outings will mean more chances to get into scoring positions.

"I think the system is working well because we get a lot of joy out wide on both the left and right and get some good crosses in," he said.

"It means I can get forward a bit more, which is something I've been trying to do anyway. It means I can push on and try and support Jo Kuffour.

"We have Andy Williams and Mark Wright pushing on down the wings and we need one of the central midfielders getting up there as well."