London Scottish director of rugby Terry O'Connor has admitted his side are now relying on others to keep their hopes of a top-two finish alive.

The Exiles crashed 18-22 at home to National Division Three South rivals Canterbury on Saturday, a result that all but ended hopes of automatic promotion as they slipped to fourth in the table.

Leaders Mounts Bay must face the league's top three teams - including Scottish - before the end of the campaign, but O'Connor believes his side need a miracle to overhaul them.

"We are not in control of things now and I would say promotion could well be beyond us now," he said.

"We need results between the top teams to go our way.

"That said, I wouldn't discount Ealing, who I think are a lot better than people give credit and are definitely top- two material."

Scottish were expecting a tight contest at the weekend, but O'Connor reckons his side were surprised to be in the ascendency for much of the match.

"We had them all ends up. We had plenty of opportunities, but too many times the final pass went astray," he added.

"We had to make a few changes in the pack, but put simply the side didn't perform to its ability.

"It was always going to be tough, but I think we surprised ourselves with how much territory and possession we had.

"Unfortunately, we didn't make the most of it."

Scottish only had winger Charlie Broughton's try to show for their first half domincance, and second-half scores from Chris Micklewood and Gareth Swales were not enough to claim the points.

The result compounded the effects of last month's defeat to Cinderford - their first back-to-back defeats of the campaign.

And O'Connor wants a return to form at Barking this week to make sure they can take advantage of any slips above them.

"The loss at Cinderford was a really crushing blow and we need to put things right," he said.

"It is important we get back to winning ways and put the last two results well and truly behind us."