Canterbury suffered last-gasp heartbreak for the second straight week in National 2 South as they conceded two tries in the final 10 minutes to lose 24-14 at Cambridge.

A week after a stoppage-time converted try saw the city club lose at home to Clifton, they had the chance to seal the win during a spell of late pressure but could not find a way through the home defence.

City lost Aiden Moss to illness before the start and then saw replacement Angus Furneaux forced off injured after an impressive debut while they also saw a try ruled-out after Royce Cadman was adjudged to have been held up over the line.

The visitors took the lead after six minutes when Ricky Mackintosh collected a kick and Charlie Harding sent Martyn Beaumont over for the opening try.

A Tom Best penalty made it 8-0 but Cambridge closed the gap before the break when Neil Brotherton went over out wide.

Cadman’s catch-and-drive effort after the turnaround was ruled out by the officials and after prop Steve Goode was sin-binned, the hosts took the lead when Ross Kevan crossed for a try converted by James Stokes.

A Best penalty brought Canterbury within a point at 12-11 and after the hosts were temporarily reduced to 14, Best kicked the visitors into a 14-12 lead.

Canterbury piled on the pressure but could not find a crucial score and instead a blind-side run from prop Jamal Ford-Robinson set-up wing Mike Ayrton to swing the match towards the hosts with a try.

With the city club chasing a last-ditch reply, centre Albert Portsmouth crossed for a converted score to further dampen Canterbury’s day.