Gavin Hope, the Ashford wicketkeeper, celebrates after catching Canterbury's Neil Gowers for 25. Picture: Paul Amos

Ashford slipped into the Shepherd Neame Kent League Division 1 relegation zone after failing to beat fellow strugglers Canterbury on Saturday.

They went into the game fourth from bottom, but Canterbury gained a winning draw to move two points in front of their opponents. And, with Sandwich beating bottom club Orpington, they also leap-frogged the Stacians Park club.

Canterbury made 228-6 before Ashford replied with 196-8.

Shannon Fattore led their run chase with 87 and Stuart Paine chipped in with 51 but they fell narrowly short and now face an anxious final two weekends of the season.

Bottom club Orpington, on 107 points, seem doomed but only 12 points separate Ashford (141) from Folkestone (153), in fifth spot.

More cricket in this week’s Kentish Express.