A HOTLY-disputed late goal sent Neston South Wirral crashing to their first defeat of the year, as they went down 3-2 at Sefton in North Division 2.

After a positive start from Neston, Sefton took the lead after 15 minutes when Matty Lennox fired a drag flick into the bottom corner.

However Neston were soon on level terms, as Greg Brooker was given the freedom of Liverpool before drilling a pass to Rob Cookson, who deflected past the home keeper.

Neston began to seize the initiative, and were awarded a penalty after a rash lunge in the circle, but unfortunately, top scorer, Andy Knight saw his flick saved.

The visitors weren't to rue the miss for long though, and skipper Rogier Van Der Ouderaa put the Parkgate men ahead from a set-piece.

Van Der Ouderaa saw another effort well saved, whilst Sefton's Jake Herman managed to put a shot over the cross-bar from two yards out. Herman made amends just before the break though, as he slipped the ball past Rich Lowry to make it 2-2.

In the second half, Neston enjoyed the bulk of possession, with much of the game played in the Sefton half, but they failed to find the finishing touch to several promising opportunities.

Sefton were always dangerous on the counter attack though, and they saw a couple of gilt edged chances go begging when it looked easier to score. With the clock running down, and both teams seemingly settling for a point, Sefton skipper Steve Smith received a pass in the circle, but seemed to control it with both feet before regaining his composure to flick into the Neston goal.

Despite Neston protests the goal was allowed to stand, although the Sefton celebrations were notably muted. In the dying seconds, Neston won two penalty corners, but Sefton clung on for the three points.

This Saturday, Northern (Crosby) are the visitors to Parkgate.

Meanwhile, Oxton hockey club men's first team had two games in the Northern Premier League this weekend with a tough away trip to league leaders Preston followed by a home game versus Hull - writes Dave Bailey.

The first half against Preston was a cagey affair, both teams realising the fixture’s importance.

Oxton's back four proved a formidable barrier to break down, Huw Collins having an excellent game, and Preston's best chances came through short corners.

However, their failure to convert them was primarily due to the superb goalkeeping of Olly Green enjoying his best game of an excellent season.

As Oxton's defence held fast, it enabled them to create chances of their own, but they couldn't establish a lead.

The second half was much more open, both teams counter-attacking in an increasingly end-to-end game.

While Oxton defended doggedly, the midfield and forwards stretched Preston and an excellent period of pressure saw Oxton take the lead – Ali McKenzie hit a perfect cross to Ali Parkes who finished expertly.

The home side were stunned and it was Oxton who looked increasingly threatening. McKenzie found space in the area and hammered home a trademark goal to double Oxton’s lead. Preston roused themselves and pressed hard but the defence remained impregnable, Oxton finishing deserved 0-2 winners with an excellent team performance.

On Sunday, Oxton largely dominated proceedings against Hull, although the visitors scored first after some careless Oxton defending. However, the home team showed good character and forced their way back into the game.

Huw Collins equalised with a drag flicked short corner, and then took the lead when Sam Cooke's telling through ball was deftly finished by Anto Rawlinson. Oxton stepped up a gear in the second half, putting Hull's defence under severe pressure and put the result beyond doubt with Gordon Moore’s two short corner goals.

Oxton's fifth was the goal of the game: Matt Couttie on a rare venture into midfield picked out Jonathan Hodgkinson with a fine pass, and Hodgkinson's killer ball into the Hull area was met by Cooke, timing his run to perfection to deflect the ball past Hull's keeper.

Hull scored late on, but it finished a resounding 5-2 victory for Oxton.