HOCKEY NORTH 2: North Wilts all but kissed their promotion chances goodbye by suffering a 3-2 defeat at Bath University.

Without injured skipper Matt Evans for the first time in the league this season, Wilts took an early lead through Damo Holland, who scored for the fifth game in a row.

Neil Smith then saved a penalty stroke, but before half-time the students had shown why they have topped the table for most of the season to claw themselves in front to lead 2-1.

This lead was further extended early in the second half before Darren Cragg made it 3-2 but time ran out.

Wilts meet Swansea Bay A at Dorcan at midday on Saturday.