Andy Pratt insists Canterbury have not given up in their quest for promotion, despite their hopes being dealt a huge blow with a crushing defeat at rivals Ampthill on Saturday – their biggest loss of the campaign.

The city club held a five-point lead over their third-placed rivals going into the game, occupying the sole promotion play-off spot in National 2 South on the back of three straight wins. However, they were comprehensively beaten 41-8.

The result saw Canterbury slip to third on points-difference to sit eight points adrift of leaders Hartpury College – whom they beat last weekend – with both their rivals having a game in hand.

On Saturday, fourth-placed Bishop’s Stortford visit Merton Lane, with the city club knowing a win would secure their highest ever finish in the National League ladder and apply crucial pressure on Ampthill, who travel to Hartpury

Head coach Pratt said: “We are fully focused on this week now. It’s out of our hands again but it will be difficult for Ampthill going down there, although they are capable of getting a result.”

He added: “Like Jose Mourinho said recently, the table is fake. We’ve been sat in second but all the while Ampthill have had a game in hand and us not having played them away, we were always in position 2.5. It was never a true reflection.

“We’re not giving up the ghost though. We’ll keep playing and are still in with a chance of the play-offs but even third would still be a great achievement.

“Bishop’s Stortford have been in fantastic form and will want to finish third too. It will be another difficult game.”