Rosslyn Park will be trying to pull away from the foot of the table by giving new head coach Chris Kibble his first win when they entertain Southend this Saturday (3pm).

Kibble, who led Blackheath to promotion from National Three South and was recently appointed coach to the England U18s, took over last week following the resignation of veteran Dave Rollitt.

One-time England international Rollitt quit after a meeting with chairman John Adair at which they discussed Park's disappointing results that have left them next to bottom of the league.

Park face a tough test against Southend, who knocked Lydney off the top of the table by thrashing them 81-16 last Saturday.

Two 50-50 decisions and a penalty from the last kick of the match cost Park the draw they richly deserved when they were pipped 30-27 at Canterbury last Saturday.

Park led 27-3 at half-time. Richard Mahony put them level with a penalty, and Cliff Street touched down following fine work by skipper Martin Ridley and Lee Gibson.

Niall Lear then scored a fine individual try which Mahony converted.

A good kick to touch from Simon Brading set up Park's third try for full-back Huw Williams and then Williams made a break to send over Rhys Lapidus, with Mahony converting.

But Canterbury stormed back with four tries to level the scores with 17 minutes remaining.

As the match entered injury time Canterbury seemed to deliberately collapse a maul near their own line, but the referee refused to award Park a penalty that would have given them victory.

Play went to the other end and as the ball emerged on the Canterbury side from a ruck, Street was penalised for grabbing it. He was also harshly sent to the sin bin. As soon as the penalty crossed the bar the final whistle sounded.

Park: Williams (McCluggage); Lear, Brading, Paul, Ridley; Mahony; Lapidus; Daw (Gamble), Small, Wells; Forster, Gibson; Blankley, McGuckian (Ryan), Street. Sub not used: Kearns.

The match against Southend is to be sponsored by long-term Park supporter Kenny Burgess, who died earlier this year. During the afternoon Kenny's ashes will be scattered at the ground.