CHRIS Miller admitted it Kendal's season hinges on the next two weeks after turning his attentions to the cup competitions.

After suffering back-to-back defeats, the latest at Fleetwood on Saturday, Miller says cup success is all they really have left to play.

The Shap Road club captain had set his sights on a top four finish, something that looked like could be a possibility after going on a six match unbeaten run.

But after successive defeats to Lancaster and Fleetwood, which were preceded by losing draws to Barrow and Chorley, even finishing as Cumbrian top dogs looks a tall order with Penrith, Netherfield and Barrow all ahead of Kendal in the Division One table.

So Miller set his team more realistic targets.

Kendal are in league action on Saturday at Leyland but it is Sunday's Cumbrian County Cup quarter final clash with Whitehaven is the fixture that stands out - following by a home tie against Darwen in the Readers Cup the week after.

"Those two defeats have ended what hopes we had of finishing in the top four," said Miller. "That was our aim at the start of the season and, for a while, it looked like we could possible do it.

"But we have lost our way a little bit in recent weeks so now it is all about the cup competitions. The next two weeks will go a long way to determine how good or bad a season we have had."

Miller has selection problems for the Leyland trip with opening Shane Hyland, injured while fielding against Fleetwood, a doubt while four other players are unavailable.

"Some are injured, some are working and some can only play one game at the weekend so have opted fort he Whitehaven game where, all things considered, is now probably the more important game."

Fielding and batting errors - along with some excellent Fleetwood bowling - proved costly for Kendal last weekend as they let their hosts rattle up a decent score then surrendered wickets cheaply in reply.

"It's a bit frustrating because it is exactly what we did against Lancaster last week," added Miller. "We let Fleetwood off the hook."

Batting first, Fleetwood posted 214-8 but David King (55) and Ian Holland (52) were both put down early on.

Miller said: "Had those catches stuck then I think we could have restricted Fleetwood to 130 or 140 and then it would have been a different story."

Adam Parker scored 20 and Dean Bell added 43 before he was clean bowled by Miller, he captain finishing with figures of 3-61.

In replay, Kendal succumbed to 140 all out which was down to poor shot decisions and some excellent bowling from Holland who claimed 5-36.

"Fair play to Ian, he bowled very well but we did not help ourselves," said Miller. "A few of the lads got themselves in but then got themselves out just as quickly."

Richard Herron top scored with 30 including five fours with Paul Dodds (22), Saeed Bariwala (22) and Miller (21) making decent contributions.

The defeat leaves Kendal third from bottom of the table, 12 points ahead of St Annes and six behind Barrow.