Worthing Raiders suffered a major setback in their battle against relegation.
They conceded a last-gasp try to go down 36-35 at home to Oxford Harlequins.
With the lead at 32-17, Raiders looked comfortable but penalties, injuries and yellow cards allowed the game to slip away and possibly their place in National 2 East as well.
The two bonus points earned might be of little help and it will need a lot of work during the week to lift the squad for the away game at Dorking.
Charlie Spencer split the defensive line with a stylish finish, then Jimmy Staples twice touched down from lineouts.
The bonus point try came in the 34th minute. Luke Talbot started the move with a run from deep, Kemp Price then made a trademark burst through the defence into space. Jake Rutherford trailed on his left side and when he received the ball he fended off the attempted tackle and scored a fine try.
With Spencer landing two conversions and hitting the post with another, Raiders had a 24-10 lead which could have been greater.
But they lost Harry Forrest and Jimmy Staples to injury.
Spencer’s penalty and a Harrison Dakin try made it 32-17, with the conversion narrowly off target.
Quins got back to 32-29 before Spencer slotted a penalty.
But heartbreak for Raiders came in the 38th minute of the half when the visitors scored under the posts and converted.
