A BRILLIANT save from Southampton goalkeeper Sue Crowley and a late equaliser from Jo Knight, earned the ladies' firsts a 1-1 draw with south coast rivals Havant.

Knight equalised from a short corner which moved the city side up from eighth to sixth in the South League Division One table, with Havant staying two points behind in ninth spot.

The seconds lost skipper Karen Jordan at the start of their match with Aldershot & Farnham through food poisoning and, in a tense match between third and fourth in the league, her presence and experience in midfield was greatly missed.

However Southampton still managed to take the lead through an open play goal from Liz Walker. Aldershot then moved ahead with two goals before Cath Gale equalized to share the points.

Territorial advantage was firmly in Southampton's favour as the third team met lowly Esso. It took until nearly the end of the first half before Southampton found the net, with Clare Butcher forcing the ball home from close range.

Annie Day moved them 2-0 up before Esso replied to make the final score 2-1.

The fourth team top division four of the Hampshire league but could not produce match winning form in their match with mid-table Petersfield.

A lack of marking in the first half left deputy keeper, 12-year-old Clare Lewis, badly exposed as Petersfield rolled in three first half goals.

The Southampton side were transformed in the second, but a solitary Lyn Price goal was not enough to force the draw.

Southampton fifths had a disappointing result in going down 2-1 to an experienced United Services side. Mary Anne Mulligan scored for Southampton.

Hamble ladies lost 1-0 against Eastleigh missing striker Liz Ackhurst and Razor Hill.