Old Loughtonians Men suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss to Bromley & Beckenham in a game they needed to win to retain hope of topping the league.

It was a crucial fixture for both sides but it was the visitors who were celebrating at the final whistle as their survival chances received a boost.

Both sides made a slow start to the match but it was Bromley who opened the scoring after 14 minutes through a well taken field goal.

Loughts upped their work rate in search of an equaliser and it duly came four minutes later when Alex Jennings flicked in low and hard from a penalty corner, ensuring the sides were level at the break.

The hosts were on the back foot again early in the second period though, as Bromley netted from a penalty corner just four minutes after the restart despite Stuart Hendy initially making a good save.

Loughts tried to gain some momentum but the visitors were defending deeply having re-established the advantage.

The equaliser never came though as the home side fell away late on and were ultimately beaten.

There was no joy for Old Loughtonians Ladies either after they fell to a 3-1 defeat to St Albans in their penultimate game of the season.

Loughts made a nervous start and fell behind as their hosts took a second-minute lead from a rebound despite Jess Gordon’s good save.

The goal sparked Loughts into life as they found themselves on top for the next 15 minutes with some sharp attacks from Rosie Macpherson, Emily Defroand and Chantelle Fernandes.

St Albans doubled their advantage after 19 minutes though as the ball trickled over the line following a goalmouth scramble.

Loughts again responded positively but a mistake five minutes ahead of the interval cost them as the hosts added a third.

The visitors were a different side after the break and frustrated St Albans to only a few chances while looking more of a threat going forward themselves.

They managed to pull one back after 44 minutes as Adele Sammons and Ele Bray combined well to find Defroand who wrong-footed two defenders before lifting the ball over the onrushing keeper.

It was as good as it got for Loughts though as St Albans held on for the victory.

Their final game of the campaign takes place at Luxborough Lane at 2pm on Saturday, and victory over Maidstone would ensure National League hockey for next season.