Gravesend, black and white, and Tring battle for crucial points. Picture: Andy Payton

Gravesend's National League status was left hanging by a thread after losing their relegation clash against Tring on Saturday.

It was a sixth straight defeat in National League 3 London & South East for Gravesend and a decisive one.

A 28-22 loss at Rectory Field, in a match which they led for the majority of the 80 minutes, leaves them sitting third from bottom, four points behind Tring with two games left.

Dave Dorton’s penalty put Gravesend ahead and Stuart Douglas sent Chris Meddings away to score the opening try.

A second Dorton penalty put Gravesend further in front, but a converted try from the visitors pulled the scores close.

Dorton kicked two more penalties before the break, as Gravesend led 17-7.

Marc Klus put Gravesend further ahead, finishing off a forward drive, to leave Tring with plenty to do. A converted try for the visitors, however, made it 22-14 and another try and conversion reduced the arrears to just a point.

With five minutes left and with Gravesend pushing forward, Tring broke and scored again to secure the win.