Harleston Magpies were unable to follow up their superb win of the previous weekend against leaders Slough as Hampstead and Westminister scored late on to take all three points in a 2-1 win.

Magpies went into the game on a cold and wet afternoon hoping for payback after their last minute defeat against their visitors earlier in the season.

The hosts started the game with a good tempo and played well as a team to put Hampstead and Westminster's defence under pressure and create some goal-scoring opportunities.

The visitors almost opened the scoring midway through the half with a deft lob, only for the shot to be tipped past the post by an alert Kath Johnson on the goal-line.

Five minutes before half-time the deadlock was broken after a quick turn-over Abby Gooderham found Susan Wessels in space to smash home an excellent reverse stick shot past the flailing Hampstead and Westminster keeper and into the net.

The visitors came out after half-time with a real desire to get back into the game, forcing Magpies to defend deeper and deeper. After a number of consecutive short corners, Hampstead and Westminster got back on level terms with a drag from the top of the circle into the bottom right corner.

Magpies struggled to pick themselves up and get back into the game, uncharacteristically giving the ball away at times and allowing Hampstead and Westminster to play some dangerous balls to their high forwards and wide midfield players. Magpies did create a few goal-scoring opportunities and won a couple of corners after some driving runs into the circle from Emma Lee-Smith, but it was not to be their day.

Five minutes before time Hampstead and Westminster converted another short corner with a neat deflection, to win the game. This was a disappointing result for Magpies, who will need to lift their spirits before their final game before the mid-season break, away at Sevenoaks.

Squad: Lucy Belsey (capt), Debbie Francis, Charlotte Lee-Smith, Kath Johnson, Katrina Sitch, Louisa Greenacre, Lauren Barber, Sophie Sunderland, Charlotte Harrison, Maria Andrews, Emma Lee-Smith, Lucy Whiting, Lizzie Clymer, Hattie Sunderland, Susan Wessels, Abby Gooderham.