SLOUGH twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Bowdon Hightown at Upton Court Park on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

But, skipper Kat McGonigle admitted it was not one of their better performances.

She said: "We were disappointed how we generally played. Our key players played okay, but without playing particularly well.

"Had we played as well as we had done in some of our previous games then we felt we would have picked up all three points.

"So considering we were not at our best, we were pleased to get a point, as it was important we got at least one from the game."

Both these sides are battling to climb up the table, being locked together in the bottom three on seven points from nine games, with Slough having a slightly superior goal difference.

The Pink and Blacks fell behind in the 18th minute when, from Bowdon's first penalty corner, a well-worked move led to Rosie Bailey opening the scoring.

After Mel Ball had been inches away from turning in a cross, Slough equalised from a penalty corner in the 31st minute with Emma O'Nien on target for her fourth league goal of the season.

Boosted by this goal, the hosts made a bright start to the second half with Lucy Wood troubling the visitors' defence with her pace and close ball control.

But, in the 45th minute, they were badly caught out by a swift counter-attack and Tilly Dyos-Szolkowska raced through to coolly find the net for Bowdon's second goal.

Slough again showed some character to come back against the Cheshire-based side and good work down their right flank led to Laura Bailey bringing the score back level after 59 minutes.

Neither side rarely looked capable of adding a third goal and a draw looked a fair result.

Bailey was named her side's player of the match for the second successive week.

Before the game, there was no toss of a coin to decide ends with senior umpire Rob Jenkins instead inviting the two captains to participate in a round of rock, paper, scissors.

Hockey umpires had agreed to show their support for football referee David McNamara, who received a three-week ban when conducting the hand-movement game after forgetting his coin at the recent Women's Super League game between Manchester City and Reading.

McGonigle commented: "It didn't bother me and I was happy to go along with it. I think it's ridiculous for the referee to be banned."

Slough play their last league game of 2018 this Saturday when they travel down to meet an East Grinstead side who are currently third in the table.

The Pink and Blacks will be seeking revenge for the 3-0 defeat they suffered at home last month.

"We are going to have to play like we did when we beat Holcombe if we're to pick up a point," concluded McGonigle.

Slough men lost 4-0 at Wycombe, their eighth successive defeat in Premier Division Two with Stephen Sloan (2), Dan Andrews and Josh Mardell getting the goals.

This Saturday, they are home to West Hampstead, who stand fifth in the table.