Rochford were beaten 31-28 at relegation rivals North Walsham which leaves them in the National League Two East drop zone which just one game left to play.

But Cleare knows Hundred will still fight to work their way out of trouble.

"On Saturday we will approach the game with absolute desperation that we need to win and get maximum points," said Cleare.

"It's one last week of training and one last big effort from the boys on Saturday.

"If we can take maximum points then half the job is done and then we pray luck is on our side elsewhere."

Rochford, who host eighth placed Tonbridge Juddians this weekend, sit just one point below Sevenoaks who are immediately above the drop.

Sevenoaks take on bottom of the table Westcliff who have yet to win this season while North Walsham who are now four points above Rochford, head to 10th placed Canterbury.

Rochford are therefore favourites for the drop but Cleare is pleased his side still have the chance to secure survival.

"The fact we got two points out of the game does mean we get to fight another day and it is possible for us to stay up," said Cleare.

"We need five points against TJ’s and we either need Walsham to get zero points or we need Westcliff to beat Sevenoaks.

"We need results to go our way but it isn’t out the realms of possibility, so we’ll try and do everything our end to make sure we have a chance."

For that to happen Rochford must bounce back from Saturday's setback.

But Cleare felt his side played well in parts of the game.

"Saturday was a decent performance for the most part and we felt confident and prepared going into the game but the first 20 minutes absolutely killed us," said Cleare.

"Two yellow cards and a high penalty and error count just played into their hands.

"After 23 minutes we found ourselves 24-0 down and Walsham didn’t do anything for their points, just a strong catch and drive and a 10 with a big boot to kick them into position."

However, Rochford were able to fight back into the game.

"Despite being 24-0 down there was still belief that this game wasn’t over," said Cleare.

"We were the team playing all the rugby and we had made numerous line breaks even if they didn’t lead to anything.

"Eventually our pressure told and we scored two tries before half time and we were pushing for a third just as the whistle went.

"In the second half we started like we finished, we set up camp in their half and dominated.

“We got two more tries and had what looked like a legitimate third ruled out, but either way we found ourselves 28-24 in front and playing down the hill and having all the momentum we looked we would win the game. “

But Rochford were unable to hang on.

“Frustratingly from the kick-off after just scoring we failed to exit properly, we juggled the ball, they regathered it and ended up scoring a phase or two later,” said Cleare.

“They went 31-28 in front and unfortunately that was how the score ended.

“It was another game that we should have got more out of.

“No one can question the effort, the commitment and the willingness to play but winning is a habit and despite us getting in front we perhaps just lacked that confidence to see the game out.”