The Andrew Brownlie-led side will now have to win at least one of their remaining two matches – against Easts and Hillgrove – if they are to finish in the top three.

Ex-Services leapfrogged City on the ladder on Saturdaywhen they bowled their rivals out for 110 in their second innings.

It was a much better batting from City, who were bowled out for 30 last week in their first dig, but it wasn’t enough to save an outright loss.

Ex-Services needed just 25 runs to win the match and Luke Brown (19) and Jay Wright (6) made no mistake when coming out to open the batting.

Jared Graham was the hero for Ex-Services with the ball in the second innings, claiming 5-24, while Brad Widders took his match figures to 7-36 with another two scalps.

Brownlie and Steve Butler tried to fight the game out for City, with the captain scoring 22.

Butler fared better with 36, but on a seaming Harris Park wicket, it was hard to feel comfortable at the crease.

Joe Ninnes (19) and Adam Murrell (12) also toughed it out, but it was all in vain.

Ex-Services, who also play Easts and Hillgrove in the final two matches, can now afford to drop those games providing City also lose both matches.

But Ex-Services captain said his side wanted to try and ‘earn’ the right to play in March.

“There’s no point of being in the finals if you get bundled out in the semi. We want to make a big run at playing in the grand final,” he said.