Broadstairs slipped deeper into trouble in Shepherd Neame Kent League Division 1 after losing their bottom-two clash against basement club Sibton Park by 37 runs at Park Road on Saturday.

The defeat means only two points separate the two strugglers, while Tenterden moved 16 points clear of the drop zone after a home draw against The Mote.

Two of their last five matches are against leaders Bickley Park and Bexley, who seem certain to gain promotion.

Set 197 to win, Broadstairs’s reply was similar to the week before. A good start, followed by a top and middle order collapse, dipping from 44-1 to 84-5. Terry Bond (18) was qucikly followed by Michael Ross (2), and Fakir Dungaria who went first ball, while Alex Hogben’s 76-ball stay ended when he fell for 23, with the score on 62.

Skipper Scott Narraway hit nine fours in his 45 which spanned 69 deliveries but lost partners at the other end and was seventh out at 107.

The last three wickets added 51, too little too late for the Thanet club.

Sibton’s captain-wicketkeeper Steve Hobbs won the toss and batted.

He led from the front with 65 (nine fours and a six). Hobbs added 56 with Jamie Keeler (19) and Martin Wren chipped in with 26 before being run out off the last ball.

Broadstairs are away to Canterbury on Saturday.