Ashford Rugby Club 1st XV slipped to defeat at Gillingham Anchorians in Kent 1 on Saturday but with 10 minutes to go it was a match that could have gone either way.

Ashford were trailing by just two points at that point but then Anchorians snatched a penalty and an unconverted try to produce a flattering final scoreline.

Anchorians opened their account when a break by flanker Dave Hadris created space for winger Adam Davison to score.

Ashford replied with an unconverted try of their own from Baker to bring the scores level but towards the end of the half, Davison scored his second try.

In the second half, Anchorians had the advantage of the slope and Ashford’s cause wasn’t helped by a referee who was keen to pick up on offside at every opportunity.

The result was that Brett and Duncan McKay were both sin binned for team offences before full-back McKay received a red card in the closing exchanges.

However, a penalty by JJ Murray brought Ashford back into contention early in the second half and there was little to choose between the sides for most of the half. But it was Anchorians who had the last word with two late scores.