HOCKEY: A LATE goal gave Ellesmere Port Ladies a 3-2 victory over Timperley at Sutton Sports Centre on Saturday.

Port, a player short due to a late withdrawal, started confidently. They kept the pressure on the Timperley defence for the first 20 minutes.

The breakthrough came when Charlotte Dodd's penalty corner shot was swept home by Sarah Ball at the near post.

Port quickly doubled their lead when Artie Senior's shot from the right was deflected and broke for Dodd to convert from less than a yard out.

But they conceded a goal just before half-time after a scramble in their defensive circle.

In the second half, Timperley had more of the pressure and made their numerical advantage count by getting a early equal-iser.

Port rallied, determined not to concede again, and came up with the winning goal with less than 10 minutes to play, courtesy of a Sharon Steadman penalty corner.

Bebington's men went down 3-2 at Crewe on Saturday, despite taking the lead just five minutes in through Mark Wilkie.

Glen Costain doubled their advantage, but they were hit by some controversial decisions after the break.

The visitors thought they had gone 3-0 up, only for the umpire to disallow it and award Crewe a free hit after both sides had returned to the centre spot.

Bebington's woe became worse when two of their players were sent off and they eventually went down 3-2, with two of the hosts' goals coming from penalties.

The seconds were beaten 2-1 at Wigan, having been 2-0 down at half-time after a slow start.

Although they perked up after the break, netting through Dennis Gregory, they were unable to draw level due to a consistent lack of finishing power.

Bebington thirds overcame Oxton 2-0 with goals from Simon Read and Paul Seymour, despite starting with only 10 men and losing another through injury early on, but the fourths were beaten 6-2 by their Oxton counterparts, with their goals coming from Dave Wylde and Mat Knight.

The fifths edged out Macclesfield 3-2, with the goals coming in the second half from Martin Kiel, Dave Watson and Carl Davies.