Romford 2 Leyton Pennant 1

(Ryman League division one)

NOTHING but a mathematical miracle can now save Leyton Pennant from relegation to division two of the Ryman League.

Any faint hopes they entertained were dashed with two defeats over Easter holiday weekend with two defeats, 1-0 at home to Uxbridge on Saturday and 2-1 against fourth from bottom Romford on Monday.

The Lilywhites can now only equal Leatherhead's points total, at third from bottom, who have a vastly superior goal difference and two games in hand.

Pennant boss Martin Busson said: 'I couldn't have asked more from my players on Saturday. We equalised and looked like we would win it until their lucky goal.

'We didn't play well against Romford but looking back over the last ten games we haven't deserved to lose many.

'The spirit is good amongst the players but the pressure was high. I'm very disappointed. I was offered a job here that I love and didn't want us to go down but we have two games left and I want us to win them.'

Romford's win was the final nail in Pennant's coffin, and again it was the Lilywhites' paper thin defence that was to blame.

Both teams had squandered several chances before the Pennant defence allowed Chris Rose to meet a cross unmarked for the opener.

The Lilywhites hit back through Bass on 53 minutes but Romford grabbed the winner on 70 minutes. Rose waltzed through the defence only to be thwarted by keeper Craig Knox but his shot hit the post and rolled back to him to shoot into the open goal.

Pennant had already slipped up on Saturday when they were beaten 1-0 at home by Uxbridge.

The Lilywhites took the game to their visitors but only succeeded in leaving gaps for Uxbridge to exploit.

Knox made two good saves before half-time but he could do nothing about Moore's goal on 50 minutes while at the other end the closest Pennant came was from a teasing ball from Jason Geraghty which eventually hit the crossbar and another shot from Richard Chick which also rattled the woodwork.

PENNANT: (v Romford) C.Knox, Brotherton, Bass, Woodhurst, Hercules, Notley, Tilley, Geraghty Sapiro, Cole and Chick. Subs: Oladeji, D.Knox, Russell.