Hythe's season ended in cruel fashion on Saturday after they were denied a Bostik South play-off spot in the 90th minute.

A stunning goal from Zak Ansah appeared to put Hythe on track but Harry Ottaway levelled at the far post to leave Sam Denly's team outside the play-off places.

Hythe had named an unchanged line-up from last weekend's win at East Grinstead.

A cagey first half saw few chances at either end. Casuals had a great opening inside eight minutes but Josh Uzun blazed over from Ottaway's lay-off.

It took Hythe until midway through the half to get their first sight of goal but on-loan Gillingham midfielder Darren Oldaker fired well off target after a quickly taken free-kick by Ansah.

It was Ansah who nearly broke the deadlock just after the half-hour. The striker let fly from 30 yards but keeper Gareth Williams produced an excellent one-handed save to turn his shot behind for a corner.

Kieron Campbell produced some neat footwork down the left but news that Walton Casuals were leading at the break against Ashford meant Hythe needed a big second half to keep their play-off hopes alive.

Left-back Charlie Webster underlined that attacking intent just three minutes after the break, cutting inside and shooting from 30 yards, but his effort was straight at the keeper.

Hythe nearly got the moment of inspiration from Ansah. Breaking onto a ball over the top, Ansah produced a stunning left-foot shot from 25 yards but keeper Williams - for the second time in the game - somehow clawed the ball away.

With 13 minutes left at Hythe, news filtered through that Ashford had equalised against Walton Casuals - putting Hythe back into the play-off places.

But Hythe were not going to leave themselves relying on results elsewhere. It was third time lucky for Ansah, who collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area and curled perfectly into the bottom corner with 10 minutes left.

The atmosphere at Reachfields changed again just minutes later when Walton Casuals regained the lead - meaning an equaliser would end Hythe's season.

It needed a smart stop from Will Godmon to divert Gabriel Odunaike's shot over the bar with five minutes left.

A long injury delay midway through the half meant the clock was ticking away slowly for the home side.

Corinthian Casuals knew they had to throw everything forward and they were rewarded in the 90th minute when Ottaway nodded in at the far post.

Hythe had seven minutes of stoppage time to score a winner but they failed to create a chance in the closing stages and were left to reflect on what might have been.

Hythe: Godmon, Kisitu (Stirman 90+5mins), Webster, Kinnear, Johnson, Dickenson, Palmer, Oldaker, Ansah, King (Dos Santos 64mins), Campbell. Subs not used: Chapman, Sanders, Arnold.

Corinthian Casuals: Williams, Walker, Morgan, Daly, Strange, Serbony (McAllister 68mins), Odunaike, Maan, Ottaway, Uzun, Oldham (Antonio 31mins). Subs not used: Brown, Smith, Byatt.

Attendance: 493.