Clive Cook says Hythe only have themselves to blame if they fail to make the play-offs but they can boost their chances in Saturday’s must-win game against Corinthian Casuals.

The Cannons ended a run of one point from six away games with Saturday’s 1-0 success at South Park but remain eighth, three points outside the top-five in Ryman League Division 1 South with just five games to play.

Casuals, sat fourth, seven points ahead of Town, visit Reachfields on Saturday (3pm) and defeat could spell the end for Hythe, who occupied a play-off place from September until February before their untimely wobble.

Boss Cook said: “This is a big game. If we could get a win it closes the gap right up and we’re right on top of them again.

“They are a decent side, quick but we’ll have to come up with a plan to help us win.

“A point is no good to us. Of course it’s better than losing but we need three to keep us in the mix.

“I think it’s five teams fighting for two places, although you can’t write Faversham (in ninth) off just yet – they have the easiest run-in.

“It’s going to go down to the wire, the last one or two games. There are a lot of games to come between the top sides.

“They have all got to play two or three of the other top sides, just like us.

“We can only take it a game at a time but if we don’t make the play-offs, then I’ll be disappointed. It would be our own fault. If we do make it, then we’ll deserve it.”

Cook said it is easier to motivate his players to chase the play-off places than it is to maintain one when they occupy one, adding: “It doesn’t matter to me when we get back in, so long as we do but chasing makes it an easier team talk – if we want to be in it, we have to win it.”

He praised Town’s character after the win at South Park which all-but ended the Surrey side’s own play-off hopes, saying: “It’s always nice to get a win and a clean sheet.

“They were a horrible side to play, hard to beat and physical. I’d have taken a 1-0 all day long.

“We went back to the days of a few years ago. We dug in, were solid and got what we deserved – although we should have scored a lot more, as always.”

Craig Cloke and Ryan Johnson are back from suspension for the Corinthian game but Kieron Campbell serves the second game of his three-match ban.

However, Town are hoping Mitch Chapman will be available after appealing to the FA over his three-match ban for his dismissal at Molesey.