On her fiftieth league appearance in Surbiton colours, Helen Grant scored with seconds remaining to earn Surbiton Ladies a come from behind win over the defending England Hockey League Conference East champions at Tuddenham Road on Saturday.

However, with two games remaining, leaders Sevenoaks only need one win from their final two league games to win the championship and qualify for the end of season promotion playoffs, after their 3-0 home win over Old Loughtonians.

Under sunny Suffolk skies, Chloe Hunnable, who had netted the equaliser at Sugden Road back in November, gave Ipswich a 20th minute lead, lifting the ball over Surbiton goalkeeper, Dulcie Davies, following a fine save.

Surbiton still trailed 1-0 at the interval, and thirteen minutes into the second half, could have fallen further behind when the home side were awarded a penalty stroke.

Hunnable, who had previously scored twice from the penalty spot this season, sent her shot past the right post as Surbiton’s players gave a collective sigh of relief.

The penalty miss didn’t relieve the pressure, as Ipswich’s forwards were camped in the Surbiton half, but having weathered the storm, Surbiton gradually built up pressure of their own over the last fifteen minutes of the game.

With nine minutes remaining, Grant ran at the Ipswich defence, finding Vicky Bryant, who beat Ipswich goalkeeper, Caroline Stuart from close range to equalise.

Surbiton then succeeded in forcing three penalty corners in a three minute spell, but with Ipswich’s defence holding out, it seemed that the teams were destined for their third successive draw this season, including a pre-season friendly.

Grant had other ideas, scoring from open play with less than thirty seconds remaining to give Surbiton the three league points, the Ipswich defenders looking on in disbelief.

Surbiton’s win temporarily reduced Sevenoaks’ lead to one point, but the Kent side’s evening win over Old Loughtonians restored the four point gap.

Surbiton returned to second place, ahead of Chelmsford on goal difference, after the Essex side defeated St. Albans 5-2.

Ipswich drop to fourth place, and are effectively eliminated from the league title race, six points off the lead, with an inferior goal difference.

Next Sunday, Sevenoaks visit Harleston Magpies, who having just gained eight points from their first nine games, are now on a seven game winning streak which has lifted them up to fifth place, on goal difference behind Ipswich.

Surbiton host eighth-placed St. Albans, all but safe from relegation, as Cambridge City, the current occupiers of the relegation playoff place, trail the Hertfordshire side by six points with just two matches to play. Push back at Sugden Road is at 2pm.

SURBITON LADIES: Davies (GK); Heptonstall, Garne, Jenkins, James, Rowland-Jones, Goodwin, Robinson, V Bryant, Addison, A Bryant. Subs: Broad, Grant, Holmes, Morgan.