Upminster's men had to settle for a share of the spoils after a dramatic 4-4 draw with Hertford at Coopers.

The visitors arrived having not tasted defeat in East League Division One since the end of November and took an early lead after a mistake in the Upminster defence.

The hosts rallied, though, to get back on level terms almost immediately and, despite losing a key midfielder due to injury, pushed on to lead 4-1 at the break.

Prolific striker Alex Mitchell netted twice, with Callum Berry and Harry Jenkins also on target for Upminster, with many other chances missed and the Hertford keeper producing some fantastic saves.

Hertford began the second half well and grabbed their second goal before Upminster's ill discipline saw them reduced to 10 men on several occasions.

A penalty flick was converted into the top corner to make it a one-goal game and, with less than a minute to play, Upminster conceded a penalty corner.

Despite dealing with the initial strike, they saw Hertford bundle the ball over the line with almost the last touch to maintain their fine run and snatch a point.

Upminster will look to pick themselves up from the morale-sapping draw when they face Bedford this weekend.

Havering also had to make do with a point after a 2-2 draw at Plashet.

They began well with Paul Dover stealing the ball in midfield to create a counter-attack which Alex Lee used to great effect as he squared the ball to Liam Purton to open the scoring.

And Havering quickly doubled the lead with a thunderous strike by Sam Green as they looked the stronger side in the opening 20 minutes.

But a quick pass by Plashet got them in behind the Havering defence and Adam Lumbers conceded a penalty stroke which was converted to halve the deficit.

Plashet grew in confidence and were level just before the break thanks to a well-worked short corner routine.

A feisty second half saw cards given to both teams and the quality dropped due to the constant stop-start nature of play.

Andy Gaut kept Havering on terms with two outstanding saves from close range as the scoreline remained unchanged.

The seconds missed a chance of their first win of the season after being held 1-1 by Chelmsford 4ths.

Havering conceded early, giving the ball away in defence and presenting the visitors with an easy chance to take the lead.

But they levelled just before the break in controversial circumstances when, after a long discussion, the umpires ruled Haydn Joslin’s effort from a short-corner was struck from inside the D.

Havering improved after the break and had a golden opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke as a Chelmsford defender stopped a goalbound effort with his foot.

But Dudley McNamara’s powerful effort from the spot went well wide of the left post and other chances, which fell to Greg Carolan, were not taken as Havering did little for their chances of avoiding relegation.

Havering's women lost 6-0 at table-topping Old Loughtonians, after falling behind from a penalty corner on seven minutes.

The hosts added another from open play and were 3-0 up before Havering started to get some shape back.

Defenders Bukki Olodo, Steph Prowse, Monica Dubb, Alex Semon and Louise Burgess began to intercept passes and work to set up potential attacks, as Sue Harwood made a few breakthroughs but couldn’t get a shot away.

Loughts added a fourth just before half-time but Havering rallied in the second half as the midfield of Katie Griggs, Catherine Johnson, Emily Gilkes-Tarsey, Bethan Isherwood, Tilly Bunn and Izzy Purdie continued to work hard to gain control.

Two more goals confirmed their fate, though, and Havering will hope to regain their recent form at Sudbury.