Hampton & Richmond boss Mark Harper is no longer fearing the Sword of Damocles despite suffering back-to-back defeats in the Ryman Premier Division.

At the turn of the year, Harper was given three matches to turn the Beavers’ fortunes around, but he said that is water under the bridge.

However, Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Margate was followed by a 2-1 defeat at home to Hendon on Tuesday night, leaving the Beavers 13th in the table and 11 points off the play-offs.

Harper said: “The board had to say something at the time, but that was then and this is now.

“Unfortunately, I was without Max Hustwick, Gary Holloway, Mo Harkin and Malvin Kamara on Saturday and I had to play Joe Turner at right-back, and on Tuesday I had to reshuffle again.

“The squad is not big enough and we do not have the finances to increase it. But I still think we can sneak into the play-offs.”

Beavers travel to struggling Hastings this weekend and Harper will be without Hustwick and Harkin, although he is hoping Holloway will be available.

Harper said: "Despite the situation the club is in, the players are being hugely supportive and giving their everything, only Karle Carder has moved on and that is because he wanted first team football, and I understand that - he has joined Chipstead."