Old Loughtonians 3
Havant 4
(National Div One)

THE race for promotion to the National Premier League saw second place Havant travel to third place Old Loughtonians with a six point cushion.

The game was a must win for Loughts to continue their recent form and make a competitive push for that second place play-off spot.

The hosts started at a frantic pace and within the first 15 minutes created five clear cut opportunities, but sloppy finishing and a lack of desire in front of goal proved costly and it was Havant who took the lead in the 20th minute after a careless Loughts pass.

More home attacking led to nothing and the visitors went 2-0 up when a free hit found its way through the defence to Ben Alberry who deflected the ball into the net.

Stuart Hardy reduced the deficit from a short corner and Loughts drew level after the break when Mike Hughes calmly converted a penalty stroke.

The sides exchanged goals to leave the scores level at 3-3 with ten minutes remaining, but the hosts inexplicably lost out in the centre of midfield.

Havant countered and scored at the back post to take maximum points and effectively dash Lought's play-off hopes.

Old Loughtonians ladies also came off the worse for wear on their travels, falling victim to an all-time great performance from Premier Division table-toppers Leicester.

The Midlands side slotted home 11 goals to the visitors' two.

The first half finished 5-0 but after the break the Chigwell ladies' did well to get onto the scoresheet through Julia Henry.

However England players Becky Herbert and Christa Cullen soon stretched Leicester's lead to 7-1 and things got worse when Loughts midfielder Katie Bradley broke her hand trying to save one of Cullen's short corners and is likely to miss the rest of the season.

Youngster Becky Halle rounded the Leicester keeper to take the final score 11-2 and keep the visitors' pride intact as the young side battled to the end.

They lie safely seventh in the league.