Colchester Hockey Club's first team's poor run continued after a 2-1 defeat at Havering extended their run without a win to five games in East Men's League division one.

Colchester knew they would be in for a tough time against a top-three side and a cross flashed across their D in the opening stages.

Sure enough, Havering took the lead midway through the half when they converted a penalty corner.

Their main striker moved the ball past the first runner Michael Pearce, before firing into the bottom corner.

The setback seemed to inspire Colchester and they began to play some of the hockey they are capable of.

From a penalty corner, a planned move just evaded Mark Prince at the back post but Colchester continued their improvement.

They quickly won another penalty corner and Rohan Khaira, pictured below, hit a straight strike past the Havering keeper and in, to level the scores.

Colchester continued their improvement in the second half and began to create chances.

George Sarson showed some neat skills down the right but was unable to find the target.

And Vince Moore also fired wide, after working his way through to a one-on-one with the keeper.

Colchester’s defence remained strong and kept Havering’s chances to a minimum, with the hosts’ only real chances coming from penalty corners.

A good Havering move drew a great save from Ellisons Solicitors man-of-the-match Aaron Sime but he could do nothing about the home side’s winner.

From another penalty corner, their striker took the ball past the first and second runners before firing into the bottom corner.

Despite the result, Colchester will be happy with their improved performance and will hope to get back to winning ways when they host Harpenden at the Garrison this weekend.

Colchester’s second team were beaten 1-0 at home to Phoenix, to leave them in the bottom two of division 3SE.

There was also disappointment for the club’s third team, who were beaten 3-2 at Brentwood III.

But Colchester’s fourth team prevented it being a miserable week by registering a 3-1 home win over Brentwood V.