Oxford Hawks were held to a 3-3 draw in what they felt was a must-win Premier Division 2 game at home to Winchester.
A victory would have ensured they stay in the league, but they are now left possibly still needing something from their final match, away to leaders London Wayfarers.
Hawks started slowly and conceded first with some sloppy defending and an uncharacteristic goalkeeping error by the normally reliable George Ratcliffe.
Hawks responded and scored through a penalty stroke after a deliberate foot on the line.
Nick Ferraby stepped up to convert his 15th goal of the league season.
Back in it, Hawks started to press and dominate through the impressive Nick Lamb in midfield.
However, it was Winchester who scored again and once more it was in disappointing fashion, the shot just creeping over the line.
A piece of brilliance brought the Oxford side level after a counter-attack led through Jono Holt, who slipped the ball to Fred Coppin.
He beat one, rounded the keeper and fired low into the corner for the goal of the game, making it 2-2 at half-time.
Hawks started the second half brightly and scored through a short-corner move. Tom Coppin was on hand at the far post to tap in, the first of his impressive season.
The defence gave the ball away cheaply and Winchester converted to make it 3-3.
Hawks dominated the last ten minutes but couldn’t score again, leaving them unbeaten since Christmas but probably still needing something from their difficult last game.
In Premier Division 1, Banbury’s relegation fears increased with a 3-2 defeat at second from bottom Tulse Hill & Dulwich.
Richard Barnes hit a hat-trick for Oxford University as they beat Maidstone 5-2.
Thomas Lockton and Matt Wood also scored.
Mark Carpenter, Daniel Smyth and Andy Wynd netted as Rover Oxford beat Newbury & Thatcham 3-2.
In Division 1, Andy Small scored from a short corner to give City of Oxford a 1-0 victory at Banbury 2nd.
OTHER SCORES MEN Eastcote 5, Wallingford 1 (A Cary); Hawks 2nd 5, British Airways 1; Wycombe 2nd 6, Rover Oxford 2nd 0; Eastcote 2nd 2, City 2nd 0; Staines 3rd 2, Hawks 3rd 1 (A Arya); Sonning 4th 4, Witney 2nd 4 (C Partridge, D Wallis, A Birnie, N Dunnington); Hawks Fledglings 7, B Airways 2; City 3rd 7 (F Guest 2, T Pinnington 2, D Cowley 2, A Vann), Meadhurst 1; Witney 3rd 4 (F Barnard 2, D Bray 2), OMT 3rd 4; City 4th 3 (L Cardman 2, S Volans), City 5th 2; City Bulls 7 (S Bell 2, A Bowen 2, P Scragg, S Curnock, T Scrace), Portsmouth & Southsea Vets 3; Hawks Falcons 3 (M Crampton-Smith, J Kaluza, D Hughes), Oxted 1.
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