WORCESTER Norton were left to rue missed chances in a 2-2 draw at St Austell in their latest play-off for entry into the National Women's Hockey League.

The West Champions provided experienced and stiff opposition but Worcester had enough opportunities to have put the game beyond their opponents reach before half time.

As early as the second minute Worcester had forced a diving save from the St Austell keeper and two minutes later Sophie Wood's shot from the top of the circle was also kept out.

Worcester were dominating the early proceedings and it only seemed a matter of time before the goals came. However it took until the 20th minute before a stick tackle on Charlene Mason enabled Hannah Bourne to put away the ensuing penalty stroke.

Within one minute St Austell had equalised when the Worcester defence was still mentally celebrating the goal - a run from midfield was not picked or challenged early and allowed the player to penetrate the circle with disastrous results.

Three minutes later Kate Draper put Worcester into the lead once more with one of her mesmerising dribbles. Picking the ball up just over the half way line, she ran through the whole of the St Austell defence, rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into an empty net.

Her path was cleared by excellent running off the ball by Wood, Mason and Jenny Rogers who took their markers away from the central area.

Worcester failed to learn their lesson and again allowed their Cornish opponents to draw level within five minutes.

A series of missed tackles saw the ball end up in front of goal. Fiona Nash saved the initial shot but St Austell flicked the rebound high into the net. The game finished as it began with Worcester pressurising the desperate St Austell defence but failing to capitalise.

Worcester Norton now lie in second place with four points after the second of five matches, two behind Epsom, the South champions.

Letchworth from the East are one behind Worcester with three teams sharing last place with a point each - Ben Rhydding (North), St Austell (West) and Rover Oxford (National League). Worcester's remaining games are in Manchester on the Commonwealth Games pitches - May 3 Rover Oxford, May 4 Epsom and May 5 Letchworth.