Hythe won’t give up their Isthmian South East status without a fight.

The Cannons are nine points from safety with six games remaining after losing 1-0 at home to East Grinstead.

They have a tricky run-in, starting with a trip to fourth-placed Margate this Saturday (3pm).

Town also face leaders Ramsgate and play-off contenders Merstham and Beckenham in the final month.

They suffered another blow at the weekend, with skipper Lex Allan leaving to rejoin Sittingbourne, but the fight goes on.

“We’ve just got to keep believing,” said manager Nick Davis.

“We need to get as many points as possible because anything can happen, albeit we’ve got a really tough run-in.

“What, are we going to give up? No, we’re going to keep going and keep fighting until April 26. You never know what might happen.”

Defender Allan played his final game for Hythe against East Grinstead on Saturday, accepting an offer from Sittingbourne the following day.

It was Davis who gave Allan his Brickies debut as a 17-year-old, with the pair reunited at Reachfields this season.

“Lex had a couple of clubs come in for him,” said Davis.

“I wish him well at Sittingbourne. Good luck to him.”

East Grinstead arrived on the back of a 9-0 defeat at Merstham but Davis knew they were a better side than that.

They punished a mistake at the back as Connor Tighe scored the only goal after 18 minutes.

“I was disappointed on Saturday,” said Davis.

“We’d played well against Sittingbourne on Tuesday night, going 1-0 up, and I know we lost 2-1 but we gave a really good account of ourselves.

“Everyone was saying East Grinstead lost 9-0 but I went and watched them when they beat Ramsgate and drew with Beckenham.

“They’re a good side, they’ve been together years and they had a few players back.

“It was never going to be an easy game and it was a game of few chances.

“We’ve hit the bar, we could have scored, but we’ve made a mistake for the goal.

“We threw everyone forward to try and get an equaliser and it just wasn’t to be.

“We weren’t good enough on the day. It was a bad day for us and we’ve had too many of those.”

Meanwhile, decorated former Maidstone and Ramsgate boss Jim Ward has been helping out at Reachfields.

Davis played under the Scot, who’s now in his early 70s.

“Jim’s come in and helped us out,” said Davis.

“He offered his services a couple of months back.

“We’ve always been in touch.

“With his experience and what he’s done in the game, I think he wants to give something back, so it made sense.

“He’s been watching and coming to training and he gives his opinion.

“He’s been a good sounding board.

“He’s retired now so he’s got a lot of time on his hands.”