A goal ahead in seven minutes, Trojans finished hanging on grimly for a 1-1 draw from a highly-charged EHA Women's Premier League basement battle with Sutton Coldfield at Wellington.

Trojans had to win to move off the bottom rung but, after surrendering the early initiative, owed much to Clair Gover's goalkeeping bravery to earn them a point.

The draw left Trojans two points adrift of Sutton Coldfield and still in search of a debut Premier League win.

"We didn't do ourselves justice," lamented captain Ali Wakefield, whose vision set up Kath James for Trojans early opener. "We were all over them for the initial 20 minutes. We got a lot of space, but Sutton Coldfield changed their tactics at the break and it was hard after that."

Wakefield certainly capitalised on her initial midfield freedom to open up the Midlanders' defence and create the opening for James to cut in from the left and lash home a rasping angled reverse-stick shot.

Trojans ought to have built on that bright start but, completely out of character, teenage England starlet Alex Danson shot wide with a gaping goal at her mercy.

Danson, playing in Trojans colours for the first time since the pre-Christmas Women's World Cup tournament in Australia, found herself closely marked and, for once, was unable to make any tangible impact.

Instead, it was Jane Sixsmith, a legend in England women's hockey, who imposed her class on proceedings.

Now in the twilight of a career spangled with 323 international caps, Sixsmith produced a moment of real magic to set up Sutton Coldfield's equaliser.

Initially nipping in from the left touchline between two markers, the former England sharpshooter left a trail of defenders in her wake before prising a penalty corner from which Mandy Davies made it 1-1.

Sixsmith's skills - she often appeared to have the ball glued to the base of her stick - were worth the admission money alone.

Her stick skills must have been a real eye-opener to some of the talented Trojans youngsters who dream of England recognition in future years.

Sixsmith, who bade farewell to the international circuit at the 2004 Sydney Olympics, was at the hub of most of Sutton Coldfield's second-half pressure.

But Trojans goalkeeper Claire Gover produced a series of fine saves to deny the visitors a victory that could have all but buried Trojans' prospects of survival.

Yet the Stoneham girls finished the stronger and, with better finishing, Kath James and coach Tamsin Pascoe might even have nicked it for Trojans

Despite Liverpudlians Hightown landing an unexpected 4-0 weekend double over Ipswich and Chelmsford, Trojans remain optimistic about surviving in the top flight.

"It's not all doom and gloom. We can get back on track in the cup against Epsom on Sunday and, if we get through to the quarter-finals, there's no reason why we can't kick on from there," Wakefield added.

Trojans' EHA Cup fourth round tie against Epsom on Sunday is at Havant College (1.30pm).