Stephen McManus believes Motherwell can still sprint away from the relegation play-off race - because they have proved themselves capable of going on unbeaten runs before.

The veteran centre-back admits he is worried by Well's current Ladbrokes Premiership placing of 10th.

They boast a three-point advantage and a game in hand over Kilmarnock, who they host on Saturday, but McManus knows the Steelmen's recent form leaves them at risk of being caught.

Mark McGhee's side have yet to pick up a league win in 2016 and their frailties have seen them concede five last-minute goals since the turn of the year - including three in their last three games.

Those late slip-ups have not only hurt their survival hopes but also cost them their chance of making the William Hill Scottish Cup last eight after losing to Inverness last weekend.

But McManus also has faith his team can surge away from danger by repeating the kind of results which saw them enter January on the back of six straight matches without defeat.

He said: "They are all big games for us now but the next game is always the most important for us.

"When you are at our end of the table it's always one game at a time. And as soon as it's gone you learn from it, whatever the result, and go on to the next one.

"The good thing for us it that we believe we are capable of going on a run of five or six games because we've done it before this season.

"If we hadn't done that previously, I don't know if we'd genuinely believe we could do that sort of thing now but we have and we still have that confidence.

"However, it's already talking about these things but the proof is in the pudding and that will come on Saturday."

Well were forced to battle to safety last year in a play-off duel with Rangers.

They eventually won with a convincing 6-1 scoreline over two legs but McManus is adamant the experience is not one he wants to go through again.

Looking ahead to facing Killie, he said: "This is absolutely going to be about which team holds its nerve.

"Both teams will want to win this game because they know what is at stake.

"We went through it last year with the play-off games. You don't want to be involved in that.

"If ever I'd want to be a reporter it would be then, because it would mean I'd be anywhere but the pitch. They are not enjoyable occasions.

"Just now, we're just outside the play-off zone but if we can sustain a run of five or six games, we feel as if we can still make the top six.

"All the teams will be thinking the same because it's so tight, but positivity is the thing that will get you climbing the table and hopefully we can get a couple of last-minute goals instead of the teams against us."