Bicester Ladies had to produce some last-ditch defending to hang for a 3-2 win at Bracknell in the Trysports Three Counties League Premier Division.

With Ella West dictating play, Bicester stormed into a 3-0 half-time lead.

Emma Gordon opened their account within five minutes, putting away West’s pass.

The lead was doubled less then five minutes later.

Sheryl Philpott found Lydia Harris, who kept her cool with an excellent strike into the corner of the net.

West set up Philpott who gave Bicester a 3-0 half-time lead.

The visitors rallied after the break to score twice, but good defending from Hannah Newell and Corin Scott ensured Bicester claimed the points.

Promotion-chasing Bicester Men, who had been unbeaten since October, suffered a shock 7-2 defeat away to Amersham & Chalfont in Middlesex, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Division 1.

CJ Birtles fired Bicester ahead following a short corner, only for Amersham to charge into a 4-1 lead.

Although Leo Graves clawed one back, Amersham added three more goals after the break to leave a shell-shocked Bicester needing to beat leaders British Airways on Saturday to secure promotion.

Bicester 2nd’s Division 5 promotion hopes are hanging by a thread after a 1-1 draw at home to Aylesbury 3rd.

It puts them third, four points adrift of second-placed Reading University Knights and they are reliant on the students dropping points to have a chance of finishing second.

Bicester 3rd lost 3-0 at Milton Keynes Samurai and they now need two wins from their last three matches to guarantee promotion to Division 6.