Canterbury were left with mixed emotions after pushing National 2 South promotion chasers Dorking all the way in a 15-15 draw at Merton Lane on Saturday.

The city club were left to wonder what might have been after surrendering a 15-0 advantage, however were grateful that the visitors spurned the chance to win it, missing a last second kick at goal to leave the sides with two league points apiece.

Dorking made a bright start and piled forward, however staunch defence kept them at bay, and by the 20-minute mark Canterbury began to find a foothold in the game and Tom Best slotted the hosts ahead with a penalty.

Some sloppy handling and a missed penalty from the visitors kept the lead intact, and Canterbury built momentum before snatching two tries in three minutes just before the break.

Martyn Beaumont’s powerful running from deep was the catalyst for both tries, the first from Chris Hinkins after good link play by Grant Kay, Adam Cathcart and Ricky Mackintosh, with Best adding the extras.

It was 15-0 soon after when Mackintosh burst onto a pass and raced to the line, Best missed the conversion, and pulled a second-half penalty wide before the lead was reduced 16 minutes from time.

A penalty led to a catch and drive, which was intitially repelled by Canterbury, only for the visitors’ scrum-half to dummy his way over for a score, converted by Fraser McDonald.

One last Canterbury chance went begging as Mackintosh could not find a teammate after another fine break, and McDonald soon reduced the deficit with a penalty.

With a five point deficit, the visitors laid siege to the home line, seeing a Canterbury man sin-binned and making their advantage pay with another try.

With the seconds ticking down, McDonald stepped up but missed the target to ensure the game ended in deadlock.

Despite the two points, Canterbury saw their lead over third-bottom Lydney cut to seven points, having played a game more, with the Gloucestershire side winning at Clifton.