East Grinstead skipper Steve Pollard knew his side were in trouble when they dropped 25 catches in their first five matches.

Grinstead's relegation from the top flight was expected to be confirmed when they played leaders Horsham today. But the outgoing skipper is convinced his club's talented youngsters can learn the lessons of this summer and bounce back next time round.

Going into today's game, Pollard, 39, said: "We won't give up until we are definitely down but it is a tall order now.

"We haven't played well enough in any department. It has been a big step up for the youngsters and I haven't done marvellously well myself.

"We have improved our fielding since those early days but our batting and bowling have not been up to scratch.

"It is down to confidence as well. It is difficult to drag yourself off the bottom of the league unless you get a bit of luck.

"I just hope the players stick around if we do go down."

Pollard added: "It will make a difference playing in the Second Division and not just because of the grant you get in the Premier League.

"There are some nice grounds dotted about the Second Division but we won't be playing at places like Horsham and Hastings.

"The players have got to accept that they were not good enough to keep us up and they have a moral obligation to get the club back up."

Pollard has skippered Grinstead for five years and was expecting to step down whatever happened this summer.

Despite results this time round, he insists he has enjoyed the challenge of leading a side who were promoted as Second Division champions last season.

He added: "Of course it is not as enjoyable like this as it is when you are winning.

"We have been affected a bit by the fact that the second team are winning their division and a lot of their players want to stay with them rather than come into the first team.

"But the cricket and the challenge are still enjoyable.

"We would prefer to be playing this level of cricket but maybe it came a year or two too early for some of the youngsters."

Pollard picks out Peter Mills' first ever century and the win against high-flying Crowborough as rare highlights from the season.

He added: "Individually, our left arm spinner Craig Fowle has been the success of the season.

"He is only 17 but he has not looked out of his depth and we need to keep his confidence up. He has not taken many wickets in the last few games but he has still been bowling well."

If bottom have beaten top today, Grinstead's survival chances could still be flickering when they tackle Eastbourne next Saturday.

But, given Chichester and Haywards Heath are playing each other in the last two weeks of the season, Pollard admits avoiding the wooden spoon is his last target.