RELEGATION candidate Congleton Town look odds on favourites for the drop after a shattering 4-0 defeat on Tuesday night.

They went down at second from bottom Kendal Town, leaving them nine points adrift at the foot of the table with 11 games left.

The devastating result for the Bears followed a 2-0 defeat at home on Saturday at the hands of third-placed Vauxhall.

Victory for Kendal lifted them clear of the relegation places, and Congleton are nine points behind Guiseley and 10 off Gretna, who visit Booth Street next Tuesday.

''The two defeats, particularly the one at Kendal, have left us in a dire position, although it's still mathematically possible for us to stay up,'' said Congleton treasurer Kem Mead.

''However we have not given up, although our chances of escaping relegation are poor.''

Congleton were without striker Tyron Fagan on Tuesday, and created a number of early chances, including a shot from forward John Paul Jones which was saved by the keeper.

Kendal took the lead two minutes before half-time from only their second chance of the game.

A Kendal player headed the ball between two Bears' defenders for Fahey to run onto and place it past Congleton keeper Kevin Taylor from eight yards.

They made it 2-0 eight minutes into the second half, breaking down the left and firing in a low cross which a player drilled home.

Kendal made the game safe from a shot on 65 minutes, and completed a miserable evening for Congleton with a fourth 15 minutes from the end.

A free kick bounced kindly for a Kendal player, who placed it inside the post from 10 yards out.

Congleton had their chances in the second half, John Brown firing a shot straight at the keeper and Darren Talks shooting wide.

Vauxhall took the lead on Saturday five minutes before half-time when a player latched onto a free kick to volley home from 12 yards.

The visitors made it 2-0 on 58 minutes when the ball skidded past Lyndon Beardmore as he let it bounce.

A Vauxhall player nipped in and lifted the ball over Taylor from the edge of the area.

* Congleton travel to Eastwood Town tomorrow, and are at home to Gretna next Tuesday.