Southern Counties East League round-up: Hythe Town 12 points from safety with six games remaining after 5-2 defeat at Kennington

Hythe Town are staring at back-to-back relegations after a heavy defeat at Kennington in the Southern Counties East Premier Division.

The Cannons lost 5-2, which, coupled with Faversham Strike Force’s 4-1 win over Stansfeld, leaves them 12 points from safety with six games remaining and an inferior goal difference.

Boss Andy Drury resigned after the game, leaving Town looking for their fourth manager this season.

Two goals from Ryan Philpott, including an early penalty, and a Joe Fisher strike gave Kennington a 3-0 half-time lead.

Richie Keil and Dan Thompson gave Hythe hope but they were picked off in the final 10 minutes as Brad Walledge and Kaelem Sobhee-Turner completed the hosts’ tally.

Faversham Strike Force came from a goal down against bottom side Stansfeld to move a step closer to safety.

Ali Wren cancelled out Macey Malyon’s early opener and Tom Carter made 2-1, followed by late goals from Harry Taylor and Baily Sinnock.

Bearsted moved level on points with second-placed Fisher after a 2-1 win over their play-off rivals.

James Bessey-Saldanha and Sam Stace gave Kevin Stevens’ men a half-time cushion at Honey Lane.

Michael Sarpong replied for the in-form visitors but the Bears, in third, claimed an impressive victory.

Larkfield & New Hythe are five points back, in fourth, after Kane Rowland’s 75th-minute penalty saw them edged 1-0 at Hollands & Blair.

Rusthall took advantage of Punjab United’s FA Vase semi-final commitments - they drew 1-1 at Cockfosters - to leapfrog them into the final play-off spot.

They moved up to fifth with goals from Charlie Clover, Robbie Bissett and Ayodei Owoeye in a 3-0 home win over Corinthian.

Tunbridge Wells climbed to 12th after coming from a goal down to beat Snodland Town 3-1 at