SALISBURY Women's Hockey firsts left it late to defeat fellow promotion rivals Jaspers 3-2 in Premier Division 2A.

The Lower Bemerton outfit took the lead when Lily Jackson raced along the backline and set up Claire Grinham who did the rest from close-range.

Jaspers then scored the twice to turn the game on its head.

Soon after, Alana Mercer made several clinical saves to keep Salisbury in the game and Miranda MacTaggart and Julie Selbie worked tirelessly to stop the Jaspers down the right hand side.

Salisbury came out fighting after half time and levelled the scores with ten minutes to go. Kerry Jackson drove into the circle and her effort was initially saved but Lisa Lovatt swooped and tucked home the rebound.

And the winner came minutes before the end when a cross into the circle from Jackson was deflected over the keeper's head and into the roof of the net by Sarah Brown.

The hard-fought victory sees the Salisbury side remain in second place.

Six points is the gap between them and leaders Newent after 12 games.