Chelmsford guaranteed a tense finish to their season when they narrowly lost 4-3 at third-in-the-table Lewes on Sunday.

Just two matches remain now and only four points separate the six teams chasing the last five positions that would guarantee a place in the restructured Division One next season.

Chelmsford find themselves in the middle of the pack, but their two matches are against Barford Tigers and Loughborough Students who are also in contention.

Chelmsford immediately took the game to their opponents and forced their way deep into the Lewes half.

In the third minute, Craig Carolan picked out Alan Thorogood's run behind the defence, and the winger collected the ball before slipping it past the advancing Rory Jervis in the Lewes goal.

Within a minute, Chelmsford could have been 2-0 up when Adam Hunter's deflection from a penalty corner struck a defender on the foot in front of goal.

Unfortunately, for Chelmsford, this was missed by both umpires and Lewes were able to scramble the ball to safety and were given time to regain their composure.

That Chelmsford's stranglehold on the game was broken was as much down to themselves as it was to the home side's endeavours.

Two yellow cards for Chelmsford's Chris Wilson for injudicious tackles in quick succession meant that Chelmsford played much of the remainder for the first half with just ten men.

Lewes equalised in the 23rd minute. Jeremy Boyse picked out Andy Cook in front of goal for a simple conversion.

Ten minutes later, Will Champness converted a penalty corner with a low, hard flick to put Lewes 2-1 ahead at the break.

Although back to full strength, the second half could not have had a worse start for Chelmsford.

Just one minute into the half, Chad Miah missed an interception at the top of his D and the ball fell to Cook who rounded goalkeeper Paddy Aldridge to net.

Chelmsford then found some rhythm to their play. Carolan had two shots from the top of the D that flew wide of the Lewes goal and, with time running out, Chelmsford were beginning to show some signs of frustration.

In the 52nd minute, the game was turned once more when Abdul Khalik's foray into the Lewes D was ended abruptly. From the resulting penalty stroke, Carolan rifled his flick home.

Shuhel Malique was then unfortunate not to level the scores when his first-time shot from a Jonty Clarke cross hit Jervis as he flung himself across the goal.

With ten minutes remaining, Khalik got in a shot from the top of the D. Although the ball was travelling wide of the far post, Carolan's poaching instinct enabled him to get a deft deflection on the ball to send it past Jervis and into the goal.

With the scores level, it became a far more open game and Lewes threatened frequently as Chelmsford searched for the winning goal.

Sadly for Chelmsford, with six minutes left to play, a pass from Ben Hawes from just inside his own half, evaded David Hunter's outstretched stick to find Boyse unmarked in the Chelmsford D.

Aldridge reacted quickly and forced the Lewes striker wide, but could only look on as Boyse sent his shot crashing home.

Although there was still time for another comeback, Chelmsford failed to create any openings and the final whistle was blown shortly afterwards.

On Sunday, Chelmsford entertain Barford Tigers at Chelmer Park in their last home match of the season.

The match could not be more important for either side as the end of the season draws near and it is certain to be an exciting affair.

A win would almost certainly guarantee Chelmsford a place in the top eight, while any other result would leave everything resting on the following week's game at Loughborough Students.

Sunday's match starts at 1 pm.

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