A SPIRITED 2-2 draw against top team Havant has given Brooklands Manchester University fresh hope in the First Division of the Slazenger England Hockey League.

The Cheshire team fought back from two goals down to draw level and end a run of four defeats.

Havant, lying second in the division, are regarded as one of the stronger sides and the Brooklands performance delighted coach Martyn Grimley who said: "Our guys are as skilful as any in our division.

"Where we fall down is that we lack the intensity of some of the opposition teams, especially the experienced sides who have played at this level for some time."

"This display was encouraging for us and gives us something to build on."

Brooklands were caught early in the second half when they conceded two penalty corners in two minutes that were expertly converted by Calum Giles and Ahmed Ezz Mohamed.

John Bell put Brooklands back into the game from a short corner in the 54th minute and 10 minutes later Mark Richardson notched a good field goal for the draw.

Added the coach: "We might easily have snatched a win. We had the last shot of the match when Andy Magro went for goal and it could easily have gone in."

A weakened Brooklands team went out of the England Hockey Cup the following day with a 3-0 defeat at Exeter University.