Hockey: Cannock squander their advantage

Cannock's lead at the top of the Premier League has been reduced to one point after they threw away a two-goal lead against Canterbury at the Morris Ground yesterday.

Two second-half goals each from Danny Laslett and Stuart Humphries gave Canterbury a well deserved 4-2 victory after Ian Hughes-Rowlands and Bobbie Crutchley had put Cannock ahead.

Andy Billson, with a hat-trick from open play, gave Teddington a 3-2 win at East Grinstead that enabled them to go ahead of Reading into second place. Richard Gibson scored both goals for East Grinstead, who were showing signs of tiredness after their 6-4 defeat by St Albans in the final of the Indoor Club Championship on Friday evening.

Reading had to thank their Olympic goalkeeper Simon Mason for keeping them in the game against Hounslow. But there was nothing even Mason could do to stop Will Nurse's rocket from a penalty corner with 16 seconds remaining for the equaliser at 2-2. England's Under 21 goalkeeper, Nick Taylor, also made a string of outstanding saves for Hounslow.

Southgate returned to winning form with a 4-2 victory at Havant, who are 12 points adrift at the bottom of the table. Either Surbiton, who drew 3-3 at Guildford, or Barford Tigers, who lost 3-2 against Old Loughtonians, seem likely to go down with Havant.