OXFORD Hawks suffered disappointment on two fronts as they lost ground in the title race and were eliminated from the EH Cup.

A strong run since the winter break had turned them into contenders for the Conference West crown.

But a 2-0 defeat at leaders Havant saw a seven-point gap open up.

There was little to choose between the sides, but the hosts’ greater cutting edge proved crucial.

They led from the 15th minute, but only made sure of the points two minutes from time as Hawks poured forward and were caught on the counter-attack.

Despite the defeat, they would have fancied their chances of winning Sunday’s cup quarter-final against Conference East basement boys Peterborough.

Hawks shrugged off an early setback to equalise through Daniel Rayney.

Again Peterborough responded, but two goals in four minutes from Olie Lobo and Josh Wierszycki gave the visitors a 3-2 lead.

The tie tilted back to the home side, who levelled before retaking the lead from a penalty corner ten minutes from time.

Hawks had knocked Reading out on penalties earlier in their run and a shoot-out was on the cards again when Jack Biggs made it 4-4 from a short corner.

But with seconds left Peterborough made it 5-4 to reach the semi-finals.

Oxford OBU leapfrogged PHC Chiswick into second place with a 2-1 away win against the Londoners in MBBO Regional Division 1.

Matt McKeown and Hector Lyons were on target as they came from behind to take the points.

Bottom side Wallingford fell to a 4-1 defeat at fellow strugglers Sonning.

Rupert Barker was on target for the visitors.

Witney also lost on the road, 2-0 at Ashford.

Caro Harris had a goal disallowed as Oxford Hawks slipped to the bottom of Investec Women’s Conference West.

They went down 3-0 at Exe, who went into the game as the only other side in the division yet to win a game.

Harris’s strike would have opened the scoring, but it was deemed to be above the height of the backboard when it crossed the line.

Ruth Bedford scored twice as Oxford drew 3-3 at home to East Grinstead 2nd in South Clubs’ League Division 2.

Olivia Strickland was also on target.

In Trysports Three Counties League Premier 1, Louise Conlon was on target but Wallingford’s ladies were beaten 2-1 at South Berkshire.