Gert de Kock drive forward for Canterbury against Barking

A late drop goal scuppered Canterbury’s hopes of toppling National League 2 South leaders Barking as they went down 17-13 at Merton Lane on Saturday.

Two second-half tries by Michael Melford and Ed Roche in the space of five minutes gave them hope, but the Essex visitors held on to a slender one point lead in the closing stages with Craig Ratford’s score settling the contest.

Canterbury fly-half Phil Gibson’s well struck drop goal put them in front after 19 minutes, only to trail 14-3 at half-time, before Melford and Roche reduced the deficit.

However, Gibson failed with both conversions and Canterbury’s only consolation was a losing bonus point.