Head coach Andy Pratt admitted Canterbury RFC were left with mixed emotions after pushing National 2 South promotion-chasers Dorking all the way in a 15-15 draw at Merton Lane on Saturday.

The city club were left to wonder what might have been after surrendering a 15-0 advantage.

However, they were grateful that the visitors spurned the chance to win it, missing a last-second kick at goal, to leave the sides with two league points apiece.

Despite the tie, Canterbury saw their lead over third-bottom Lydney cut to seven points, having played a game more, after the Gloucestershire side won at Clifton.

Pratt admitted: “Straight after the game I was a bit despondent – having got ourselves in a position to win the game – but looking back with some perspective, when you look at the players we did not have available, and the start that Dorking made, a draw maybe isn’t too bad.”

Despite seeing their lead whittled away, the hosts had chances of their own to increase their tally in the second-half, though were unable to take them.

Pratt admitted: “We have spoken about being more ruthless, but we were once again not quite able to carry it out.

“We had the opportunity to put the game to bed but we could not quite do it, but then in the end they missed a very simple conversion which saved us a point and helped us avoid the ignominy of defeat.

“It really would have been a punch in the stomach.”

Canterbury have a rare Saturday off this weekend, with the trip to Chinnor looming on March 7.

Pratt said: “On the whole I think we could probably do with a break, although we have performed pretty well in the past two games.

“The division has far too many teams and I think other than Christmas, this is our first weekend off since August.”