Canterbury slipped back into the drop-zone in National 2 South after a 14-3 defeat at the hands of Chinnor on Saturday.

With third-bottom Lydney drawing against Old Elthamians, Canterbury's fourth winless game in five games saw them slip below their rivals and into the drop-zone by the tightest of margins, making Lydney’s visit to Merton Lane on Saturday potentially crucial.

Defences were on top at Chinnor with both teams guilty of committing errors at crucial times while the city club were once again punished for their failure to take their chances.

The points all came in the first-half, though the game was tinged with controversy as Canterbury were denied a seemingly legitimate try, which could have earned them a losing bonus point.

A penalty attempt from Tom Best drifted wide but with home players hesitating, Aiden Moss raced to touch the ball down behind the line, though the officials, unsure of what had happened, disallowed the score.

Best had put Canterbury infront with a penalty goal after 18 minutes following a good break from Mason Rosvall but after Alex Wake-Smith was yellow-carded, No8 Alfie To’oala crashed over to put the hosts infront.

The second score soon after came after the city club lost the ball in contact, with full-back Jaryd Robinson making them pay before Robbie Martey touched-down and Ed Heohane added his second conversion to make it 14-3 at the break.

Despite playing with the wind in the second period, Canterbury could not close the gap, despite two late bursts from full-back Martyn Beaumont, the first of which led to a pass being dropped on the line and the second yielding a kick and chase which fit-again Dan Smart was inches away from touching down.