Two tries in the last ten minutes left Amersham & Chiltern with nothing as a 17-9 defeat to Barnes saw them slip back into the relegation zone.

Richie Williams’ side led 9-5 heading into the final few minutes of the match, against a team who are fighting for the National League 3 title, but they couldn’t hold on as the fell to a third loss from four matches.

The defeat coupled with wins for the teams around them moved Amersham a step closer to the drop and they now occupy the final relegation position with just two games remaining.

Amersham, on a high after beating Chichester 25-22 last Saturday, were in front and looking good against Barnes after recovering from an early setback.

The visitors, who were looking for an 11th straight win, took the lead following a ruck to go in for an unconverted try shortly after kick-off.

Following drives from Dean Maclennan and Ollie Cato Amersham got themselves on the scoreboard as Morgan Thompson slotted a penalty.

George Bartlett was sent to the sin bin for the hosts before Thompson had two more penalty efforts, one which hit the bar and came down the wrong side and one which sailed over to hand his team a 6-5 lead.

A third successful effort from the tee by Thompson followed in the second half before Amersham were left heartbroken as a try on either wing condemned them to a 17th defeat of the season.

Williams’ team have no game this weekend ahead of a huge clash against ninth place Gravesend on April 11.