Window of opportunity opens in Fareham's fight for survival thanks to George Davey's last-gasp strike

It was their first win since beating Brighton & Hove 4-2 in mid-October, leaving Ben Barnes’ side three points adrift of the Sussex strugglers at the foot of the table.

But with a goal difference of -36, Fareham are going to have to take at least four points from their remaining three matches to climb above Brighton – and that’s assuming they fail to pick up another point this season.

The run-in for Barnes' side looks a tough one with games against table-toppers Oxted (Sunday), Havant (March 15) and Team Bath (March 22) still to come.

Fareham worked hard for their victory over Canterbury, with James Seager and Phil Larcombe prominent in the move that led to Rory Penrose setting up Davey to fire the hosts in front with 11 minutes left.

Despite Josh Steel being sin-binned, they held the lead until three minutes from time when after several short corners, Lewis Fossey levelled.

It looked as though Canterbury might steal a point but with the umpires checking their watches, Larcombe burst into the D and Davey fired Fareham’s winner past Australian keeper Cade Banditt.

Fareham weren’t expected to win their rearranged Sunday match with third-placed Southgate and having been three down at half time, were eventually beaten 5-0.

But head coach Ben Barnes was far from disheartened.

‘There where areas of the performances on both days that where encouraging,’ he said.

‘The second half against Southgate and in particular the final quarter, we had five chances that went begging and forced two penalty corners.

‘We are still fighting and the spirit to win against Canterbury, having let in an equaliser and then push for the winner rather than crashing, was great to see.

‘Against Southgate, we kept our heads after they took their chances well and stuck to our guns.

‘We just have to take more of the early chances we create to stay in games and are then able to push in the final quarter.

‘Too many games we are not starting as well as we can.’