West Herts lost by the odd goal in nine against Cambridge City on Sunday in the National League Conference East

The Stags were made to pay for conceding two goals in quick succession late on, as well as passing up several gilt-edged chances in the second half.

With Alex Hodgkinson and Shea O’Sullivan both unavailable due to injury, Watford’s bad luck continued when Cambridge took the lead thanks to a heavy deflection off Martin Buckland’s stick.

Herts responded well though, and Dan Webster won and converted a short corner to draw the visitors level. However City re-took the lead against the run of play to head into the break 2-1 up.

After the restart it was a similar tale of woe as another heavy deflection, Scott Pointon the unfortunate player on this occasion, saw the hosts extend their advantage to 3-1.

However the Stags were galvanised by falling two goals behind and hauled themselves back into the contest, with Webster twice converting from short corners to complete his hat-trick.

Tired defending undermined West Herts though, with two goals in as many minutes re-establishing the home side’s two-goal cushion.

Iain Gordon struck late but it was merely a consolation in the 5-4 defeat.

Next up is a trip to Bromley and Beckenham on Sunday.

West Herts ladies rekindled their title hopes with a crushing 9-2 win over Saffron Walden, leaving them two points behind leaders Cambridge City.

Goals have been hard to come by in recent weeks, but Herts wasted little time in easing their recent scoring troubles by racing into a 7-1 lead by the 35th minute.

Louise Smith got the opener before Becky Perry converted a penalty following a block on the line.

Sammy Clifft then scored twice in quick succession, only for a lapse in concentration to allow the visitors in.

Normal service was resumed when a Helen Humphrey saw her penalty corner deflected home and two further goals arrived before the break via Jess Howse and Rachel Findlay.

The second half proved to be something of an anti-climax in contrast with the first, though Perry and Anna Coppel both netted before Cambridge got their second consolation strike.

Bromley and Beckenham also provide the opposition for the Ladies tomorrow (Saturday).

West Herts men’s Seconds won 2-1 at bottom side Letchworth, but made heavy weather of ensuring the win.

The Thirds conceded first from a penalty flick, but came back to win 3-1 against Bishop’s Stortford Seconds.

Richard Ambrose levelled before Rob Gabriel fired a penalty flick high and wide. Nick Brown scored the decisive goal.

Two goals in five second-half minutes saw the ladies’ Seconds beat Luton Town 3-1.

Cathy Conroy and Tanita Montgomery both hit the target, before Rachel Twine sealed the victory.

The Thirds were held to a 1-1 draw at Letchworth, with Lucy Matley finishing her own rebound to snatch a share of the spoils.

In the youth section, the Under-16 boys surrendered their unbeaten record by slipping to a 3-2 defeat against Slough.

Goals from Raphael Allen and Tom Watts kept the Stags in the contest, but Slough prevailed with 15 minutes to play.

Herts passed up the opportunity to claim a draw late on when a penalty flick was saved following a block by the foot of a Slough defender.

The Under-14 girls were 4-3 victors away to a Wycombe, with Nicole Poole securing the win with the last play of the game.

Gabrielle Holland scored twice for Herts, who had contrived to throw away a 2-0 lead before Poole’s heroics.