Oxford Hawks and Oxford University continue to prop up Division 2 of the English League after both lost at the weekend.

Hawks went down 3-1 away to Havant, while the students were beaten 3-0 at home by table-topping St Albans.

At least their position did not worsen, though, with rivals Harleston Magpies similarly beaten, 2-0 at Formby.

Hawks had the best of the opening exchanges and could have gone ahead when Ali McShane had a close-range shot which was deflected off a defender's shin for a corner.

Havant pressed hard and were rewarded when Hawks keeper Chris Boyle was able only to deflect a reverse stick shot from Craig Ellis into the roof of the net.

Five minutes later, Hawks went 2-0 down when a free hit was hammered in, lifted off the stick of Styles and steered well into the goal by Andy Cornick.

In the second half, Hawks'

Tim Newton scored from a short corner but his shot was disallowed for being too high. Simon Dawson hit the post from another corner, but the ball rebounded to safety.

Then Havant scored a third when a shot from the top of Hawks' D was finished well by James Tyler.

Hawks could have had a bigger mountain to climb had it not been for three top-drawer saves from keeper Boyle.

Hawks' consolation came when Dawson scored from a penalty stroke after McShane had been fouled by the Havant keeper.

Dawson then missed their best chance as he skilfully beat the keeper but shot wide.

Oxford University were always up against it after conceding two goals in the opening 13 minutes against leaders St Albans at Iffley Road.

A penalty flick from Paul Bolland and two strikes from Ian Hammond made up St Albans' tally.

Other scores: Hawks 2nd 5, Fareham 2nd 1; City of Portsmouth 3rd 0, Hawks 3rd 0; Harrow 3rd 1, Hawks 3A 3 (R Venables 2, A Kyle).