Fareham thrashed City of Portsmouth 5-1 to move into joint top spot in the South Premier Hockey League.
It was Fareham's fourth successive win - a sequence of victories that has lifted them alongside undefeated Wimbledon at the top.
Both clubs have 20 points from ten matches - two more than Beckenham, who Fareham visit in a crunch game on Saturday.
But though they scored five times, Fareham were indebted to goalkeeper Mike Wright, who produced a series of fine saves in the early stages.
"We fell a goal behind from a penalty stroke - and had Steve King yellow-carded in the process," reflected Fareham coach, Steve Godwin.
"But for Mike's heroics, we could have been three down - and out of the game."
Two fine goals by Jim Moseley - the second a superb strike from the edge of the circle - before half-time gave Fareham a 2-1 advantage and turned the game around.
City of Portsmouth's fading hopes effectively disappeared with early second-half goals by Steve King and Martin Fripp.
Scott Shirley scored a fifth in injury time after a break from the half-way line.
Southampton shared a 2-2 draw with Blandford, despite taking the lead through Rhobet Williams on the quarter-hour.
However Blandford hit back with two goals either side of half-time, and it took a second Williams' strike to draw level. Southampton could have won the game on the stroke of full-time, but a short corner goal was disallowed.
Southampton ladies first team shared a goalless draw with Dulwich, despite dominating the first half.
They should have wrapped up the game when they were awarded a penalty for an illegal stop on the goalline. However Fiona Jarman's low stroke to the corner was deflected aside by the diving goalkeeper.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article