Winchester’s bid to build an unassailable lead at the top of Hampshire/Surrey Regional Division 1 was foiled when Woking scored two late goals to claw back a 3-1 deficit and hold the unbeaten leaders to a 3-3 draw at Kings’.

The outcome ensured Winchester maintained their six-point lead over Woking at the top in what is effectively a two-horse race for the title.

Second placed Woking were the first to threaten goal with an early penalty corner which Ed Player cleared off the post.

Winchester’s Rob Richie then deflected just wide at the other ended. However, the city team were generally having problems breaking down a well structured and often impenetrable Woking defence.

Winchester finally found a way through in the 20th minute when Rob Richie burst into the D down the left channel and looped a reverse-hit shot over the keeper. Dan Haydon, following up rapidly, diverted the ball goal-wards to take the lead.

Despite being behind, Woking were full of endeavour with some talented midfielders, especially Shaun Pearcey, dictating play and stifling Winchester's usually dominant midfield of Mark Maunsell, Martin Harris and Kent Langridge. Yet Winchester remained dangerous on the break and just before half-time they increased their lead when Player crashed a ball into the area where Richie expertly deflected the ball past the keeper.

Woking stepped up their intensity after the break and were rewarded from a penalty corner after ten minutes, Andy Pike drag-flicking over teenage goalkeeper Rory McCallum.

The momentum was with Woking and arms were aloft in celebration for an equaliser sailing into an empty net, but Player had anticipated well and launched himself across the face of goal to save and somehow the ball was scrambled clear.

Two minutes later, Martin Harris was brought down by the Woking keeper, who was sin-binned for his trouble.

Mark Maunsell neatly converted the penalty stroke past on an overenthusiastic kicking back to make it 3-1 with his 16th goal of the season.

With ten minutes remaining, Winchester could start to think of an unassailable nine point lead over Woking, but the visitors had other ideas and drew level with goals by Pearcey and Pike.

The Surrey visitors were within an ace of winning it, but were denied by an excellent save from McCallum.