HORWICH men's first team belied their lowly position in a narrow defeat at high-flying Liverpool University second team.

The local side, who are third-bottom of North West Hockey League Division Four North, were unlucky to lose 1-0 to their second-placed hosts.

Horwich attacked from the start and their defence held firm when necessary until a speculative drive took a deflection past impressive goalkeeper Ryan Goodman just before half time.

There were plenty of positives in the Horwich play with Tim Hayward attacking with pace and aggression to put the University team on the back foot, and Andy Barr producing a commanding performance in midfield.

Horwich were unlucky to have a goal disallowed for a high stick, which would have given them a deserved lead.

With the visitors still very much in the game an altercation with the umpire saw them lose one a player to a yellow card in the second half, but even with 10 men for the remainder of the game they gave as good as they got.

Horwich men's second team also suffered defeat, going down 3-0 at home to Leigh second team in North West Hockey League Division Six North.

Sixth-placed Horwich were 1-0 behind at half time against the team second bottom in a 10-team division, with Brad Flegg and James Barry making crucial challenges in midfield, and Adam Anwar unlucky not to score.

Leigh increased the pressure in the second half and put a further two goals past goalkeeper Graeme Kilshaw who kept the score down with some great saves.

Flegg had Horwich's best chances of the second half with a shot that went narrowly wide and another which was saved on the line.