Alex Pizzey scored a hat-trick as Epsom Hockey Club’s men drew 3-3 with Woking in Surrey/Hants Division One on Saturday.

With the sides having drawn 2-2 before Christmas, Epsom knew this would be a stern test and, in the early stages they were kept out by a combination of rusty finishing and decent saves from the Woking keeper.

Having been mostly on the back foot, Woking took the lead from their first real chance from a short corner.

Things got worse for the hopes when a sweeping counter-attacking move ended with Woking keeper Andy Pike sweeping home their second.

Epsom knew they needed more precision in the second half and Pizzey halved the deficit from close range after good approach play from Wade Joubert.

Then Mike Atkinson produced a trademark run down the right before pulling the ball back from the by-line for Pizzey to smash home an equaliser.

Atkinson’s skilful running soon saw his marker sent to the sin bin, but the home side failed to make the most of their extra man and conceded a very soft goal. Woking’s centre forward meandered through three lacklustre tackles before planting a reverse stick shot into the corner.

Epsom went straight back onto the attack and equalised again when Ali Murrell strode forward and Pizzey produced a first-time finish of high-quality.

Epsom poured forward in search of a winner, but the Woking keeper was equal to their efforts.

As both sides below them lost, Epsom have a five-point cushion in second place and have a chance to consolidate their play-off spot at London Edwardians on Saturday.

Epsom II picked up their third consecutive win with a 3-1 success at Woking.