The Cannons really deserved something out of Saturday’s final away game at Broadbridge Heath but were stung by two goals in injury time that meant they fell to another defeat.

New manager Sammy Moore made two changes from the side who lost at home to Sittingbourne in midweek as Lewis Briggs came into replace stand in keeper Sam Flisher and Bradley Schafer coming in for Josh Stirman.

The early exchanges were even as both sides looked to create chances and the first opportunity came for Broadbridge Heath on twenty minutes as Mason Doughty worked his way in, but the Hythe defence stood firm as Liam Smith did well to head away for a corner. Another effort came quickly for the hosts as Sam Lemon sent an effort high over the bar.  Hythe had their first chance on 25 minutes as Josh Wisson blasted over. It was now the visitors who were creating the openings as Schafer received the ball, but he rifled his shot over the bar and then Jake Embery on the turn fired wide.

A mistake in the Hythe defence five minutes before the break left Doughty free but he screwed his opportunity wide. Louis Evans had a shot spilled by Hythe keeper Lewis Briggs, but he made up for his error as he saved brilliantly from Callum Dowdell who was following up.

The second half started slowly until on 56 minutes Dowdell cut in and shot just the wrong side of the upright and very soon he was to drill another effort wide. A neat move by Hythe followed as Oscar Webb sent in a free kick which was met by an overhead kick from Schafer that went over. The game was now going end to end as both Liam Smith and Briggs blocked. Hythe were still threatening as a curling effort from Aaron Barnes went just over the bar and then Embery from a tight angle had a shot saved well by Broadbridge Heath keeper George Clark Evans.

Then came the moment that made things very hard for the visitors as Johan Caney-Bryan received a red card following an altercation on the lefthand side. However, just on 90 minutes Hythe were denied as a curling free kick from Schafer was well saved by Clark Evans.

Just as it looked like the Cannons were going to hold on for a point a long Kyle Sim throw-in from the right was headed home by Tad Bromage coming off the underside of the crossbar. There could have been a Hythe equaliser a minute later as Wisson beat Clark Evans, but Ryan Brackpool was on the line to clear away. From the breakaway Lemon broke down the left and slotted past Briggs to make it 2-0.

It was a difficult pill for Hythe to swallow and they must regroup quickly as they take on Cray Valley PM on Tuesday night for their penultimate game of the season. Kick off at Reachfields will be 7:45pm.

Team: Lewis Briggs, Harry Rowland, Kian Garlinge (Lex Allan 50 mins), Josh Wisson, Jack Steventon, Liam Smith, Aaron Barnes, Jake Embery, Johan Caney-Bryan, Bradley Schafer, Oscar Webb. Subs not used: Ethan Smith, Josh Stirman, Sam Flisher

Scorers: Broadbridge Heath – Tadley Bromage 90+2 mins, Sam Lemon 90+3 mins

Red Card: Johan Caney-Bryan 75 mins.

Yellow Cards: Kian Garlinge 49 mins, Bradley Schafer 54 mins, Josh Wisson 72 mins, Jake Embery 76 mins, Liam Smith 85 mins.

Attendance: 304.