Canterbury celebrate winning the title Picture: Steve Crispe

Canterbury clinched the Men's Conference East title despite suffering a 5-3 defeat to Kent rivals Holcombe on the final day of the season.

Only a 70th minute converted penalty for Oxted against Canterbury's title rivals Old Loughtionians, which ended 2-2, handed them the league championship.

A win on Sunday would have guaranteed Canterbury the title but in the end they were reliant on rivals Old Loughtonians' result. A win for the Old Boys would have earned them the league honours.

Canterbury had responded to Holcombe's 14th minute opener from former Polo Farm player David Mathews with goals from Mickel Pierre and Matt Harper to lead the match 2-1.

Two more Holcombe goals, with another for Mathews, restored the home side's advantage by half-time.

Ross Gilham-Jones drew it level at 3-3 but two more goals for Holcombe handed them the points.

Canterbury were still able to celebrate, however, as Old Loughtonians surrendered a two goal advantage to draw their match with Oxted in the dying minutes.