'IF we get out from here, it will be a miracle' – that is the view of Chudleigh skipper Ed Foreman ahead of his side's match with Plympton this weekend.
Chudleigh, who are second from bottom in the table, let a winning position slip away at Hatherleigh last time out.
They now have to find five more points against Plympton this Saturday than Lewdown get against Hatherleigh to dodge the drop.
Shaun Newland top scored for Chudleigh with 43 in a total of 179 for six.
Hatherleigh knocked off the runs with more than three overs to spare.
It looked good for Chudleigh early on as Rob Cockwill (2-42), Rob Fisheleigh and skipper Mark Lake (2-43) all got among the wickets. Hatherleigh were 70 for seven at one point but recovered to reach 181 without further loss.
"It was very frustrating to throw away a winning position like that," said Chudleigh skipper Ed Foreman.
"They batted really well but we took our foot off the gas and should have finished them off.
"We now go into the last week in a tricky position and with the hardest game. If we get out of it from here, it will be a miracle."Bradninch need something close to a miracle as well in order to get promoted.
Paignton are definitely up, while Plympton only need three points off Chudleigh this Saturday to be sure of joining them. Bradninch have to win big against Budleigh Salterton and hope that Plympton lose badly to have any chance.
Tim Piper, the Bradninch captain, says they only have themselves to blame.
"Our batting has really failed to fire in the last few games," said Piper.
"As a team we haven't trained well enough, or often enough to deserve a promotion spot.
"I can't look past that as an explanation for our downfall towards the end of the season.
"Injuries haven't helped, but in most cases there isn't an excuse to not train. We only have ourselves to blame – it's a hard pill to swallow."
Bradninch were bowled out for 109 in the 41st over in their last match at Barton.
Barton haven't had a great run themselves recently and found themselves 61 for seven in reply having struggled against Ross Acton (2-19) and Paul Nott (2-30).
However, former Devon keeper-batsman Andy Hele's 37 not out saw them over the line.Budleigh Salterton go to Bradninch this Saturday with nothing riding on the game for them after a 74-run defeat by lowly Abbotskerswell.
Abbots made a respectable 200 for eight in 50 overs.
Budleigh were all out for 126 in reply as only Neil Rice and James Burke got amongst the runs. In truth the game was won and lost during the six-over spell when Budleigh slumped from 64 for two to 78 for six.
