Danny Clifton's men required two points from their final four games to leap above Crowland and send the Lincs lads down.

But Oundle have suffered a hat-trick of defeats, including a 4-0 reverse at Pinchbeck at the weekend, and now have to beat second-placed Hampton in their final match of the season on Saturday to avoid the drop.

It is a huge ask for a struggling side but Clifton is remaining upbeat. He said: "We have one chance left. It is still not over and it is still in our own hands.

"The odds are now stacked firmly against us, but we have won away at top sides like Moulton Harrox and AFC Fletton, so we know we can do it again.

"This really is judgement day for us and it is the time when we will either do or die.

"The result is not a fair reflection of the game at Pinchbeck, but their first two goals were down to errors and we have to cut them out.

"We need to concentrate on getting the basics right at both ends – taking chances at one and not giving away goals at the other."

Oundle will have to save themselves the hard way as Clifton is already without five key men on Saturday.

Striker Ian Bradbury is banned, keeper James Chambers is playing cricket and Clifton, Marc Saunders and Mark Thomas are all out injured.

The team are only bottom due to being hit by a four-point deduction for an administration error before Clifton even arrived in November.

He added: "The previous manager signed a lad on using a signing-on form from last season.

"It is hardly crime of the century and the lad concerned only made one appearance for the club in an 11-0 drubbing by Whittlesey.

"But rules and rules and we can have no complaints. We need to do the business on the pitch on Saturday."

Oundle were in contention at Pinchbeck until falling 2-0 down in the final quarter. Ben Allen claimed a hat-trick for the hosts who showed their visitors no mercy.

Pinchbeck boss Tony Wells said: "We are not in the business of doing other teams favours.