Romsey need to conjure up two wins from their last five games if they are to pull out of the Hampshire/Surrey Regional Division 2 zone.

They face the unenviable prospect of a trip to runaway leaders Reigate Priory on Saturday, with just a two point deficit separating them from the Bank of England and five from Fareham, whose revival was checked by a 3-1 defeat at Wimborne.

Romsey lost 2-1 to promotion chasing Addiscombe, but skipper Dave Edwards said: “It was a display much improved from the previous week (at Fareham) and we can consider ourselves unfortunate to have lost.”

The game, decided by a controversial late Addiscombe winner, was played with a fantastic intensity, particularly so in a first half, in which the two sides largely cancelled each other out.

The visitors won penalty corners throughout the game but rarely looked dangerous with their routines, whilst Romsey’s only set piece of the game came just before the break and saw a ball to the back post from Danny Miles cut out by the Addiscombe goalkeeper.

Addiscombe’s game plan relied on seizing upon turnovers to break quickly and Romsey were punished when a stray pass amongst the backline went straight to Stuart Glassington, leading to a clinical counter-attack and shot inside the left post.

Lucas Cross fired a shot across goal as the hosts started the second half well and an effort from centre-back Joe Welch at the end of a powerful run was blocked by the keeper.

The ball fell to Ben Mullan at the top of the area, but he could not make the most of the exposed goal with a shot that flew off target.

Romsey levelled, however, when Rob Kerr played in Lewis Birch to score.

Romsey shot themselves in the foot once more as a failed ‘aerial’ gifted Addiscombe the ball high up the pitch.

The decisive shot from Dan Jones at the end of the resulting attack was partially blocked by goalkeeper Lozz Scott and seemingly cleared by Miles before the ball had crossed the line.

But the umpire disagreed and awarded Addiscombe their winning goal. Goal-line technology in local hockey, unfortunately for Romsey, is some way off …