Two goals in the last three minutes gave Surbiton Ladies their third league win of the season, and left them just trailing on goal difference at the top of the England Hockey League Conference East, behind leaders Chelmsford, who were held 2-2 at Sevenoaks.

Although England’s men had suffered heartbreak by losing two penalty stroke barrages during the previous week at the Commonwealth Games, Surbiton experienced relief at their penalty stroke award which brought to life a game which had seemed to be destined to end in stalemate.

Emma Rowland-Jones duly stepped up in the 67th minute, then celebrated as Horsham’s goalkeeper, Hannah Simpson, could only look to her right to see the ball land in the netting just above the backboard.

Two minutes later, the victory was clinched following another Surbiton attack which ended with Helen Grant taking the ball around the goalkeeper, and placing the ball into the empty goal.

Under a mixture of cloudy/ sunny skies, with rain a constant threat, Horsham had fallen behind in the 12th minute, Kelly Morgan scoring her first goal in a Surbiton shirt, from open play.

Surbiton’s lead lasted for only eight minutes before Fran Crossley, the leading goalscorer in the division, equalised from Horsham’s first penalty corner, to take her league tally to seven goals.

Horsham’s best chance of scoring seemed to be from their six penalty corners; but after they converted their first, they were prevented from adding further goals by alert defending from Minnie James, and an excellent save by Dulcie Davies.

The rain eventually arrived early in the second half, but after a brief shower, not even Vicky Bryant’s five minute spell in the sin-bin could dampen Surbiton’s spirits, as they coped admirably with the temporary loss of their teammate.

The home supporters hoped that Horsham could sneak a late winner, however, a final concentrated effort over the final ten minutes paved the way for Surbiton to steal the points with a double raid on the home defence.

Chelmsford and Surbiton both have eleven points, with the Essex side on top due to a three better goal difference.

Defending champions, Ipswich, are now third, a point off the lead after they thrashed basement team Dereham 10-1 at home.

Sevenoaks are fourth with nine points, followed by three teams on seven: Horsham; Old Loughtonians, who beat St Albans 5-2; and Cambridge City who lost 2-0 at home to Harleston Magpies.

Next weekend, Surbiton at last have the opportunity to play on the new pitch at Sugden Road. On Saturday, they host Old Loughtonians at 2.30 p.m. for a league match; and then on Sunday, Sevenoaks are the visitors for a second round Women’s Cup tie (push back 2 p.m.).

SURBITON LADIES: Davies (GK); Heptonstall (Capt.), Jenkins, James, Ford, Rowland-Jones, Goodwin, Robinson; Hanson-Akins, Teasdale, Bryant. Subs: Morgan, Macdonald, Grant, Tait, Tranquille-Day (GK -did not play).