Clive Cook has voiced a few home truths about Hythe Town’s season with their Ryman League, Division 1 South play-off hopes hanging by a thread.

Conceding a 95th-minute equaliser against Whyteleafe on Saturday was the latest blow to their chances of extending their season, with Hastings United’s 4-1 win at Cray on Sunday making them favourites for the final spot.

Two other contenders – Carshalton and Lewes – also both lost the previous day.

Boss Cook said: “It was a joke, Whyteleafe hadn’t had one shot in the game.

“The ball should have been cleared over the stands but goes for a corner. The referee has already called time, the ball comes in, there’s a melee, and it goes in off the guy’s shin.

“The players couldn’t believe it, they were all laying on the ground stunned. It was a bitter pill to swallow for them and me.

“We are still just about hanging in there but we have been our own worst enemies and shot ourselves in the foot.”

Late goals, like at the weekend, have proved costly for Hythe this season.

Cook said: “I have been looking at the stats, while writing my programme notes and the amount we have let in between the 80th and 90th minutes has been incredible.

“I don’t want to tell you how many because it makes me feel sick. We have been good for 80 but then lose concentration, thinking we have done it.

“Our home form hasn’t been good enough and the games we have drawn should have been won.

Cook confirmed he has spoken to striker Jay May, following his sending off against Corinthian Casuals the previous week for a head-butt, which rules him out of both Easter matches – at second-placed Dorking on Saturday and home to Chatham on
Monday.

He said: “We are going out to win all three of our final games and see what happens – we might still succeed (make the play-offs) – who knows?”
“We won at Dorking quite convincingly last season.”