Canterbury take on Southgate during their 3-2 win Picture: Chris Davey

Canterbury’s play-off fate in the national Premier Division will come down to a final-day clash at Cannock.

Saturday’s dramatic 3-2 win over relegation-battlers Southgate at Polo Farm left the city club third, two points behind second-placed Surbiton, one ahead of fourth-placed Reading and East Grinstead, with Cannock a further point back in sixth.

A top-four place ensures a spot in the championship play-offs with the top-two playing their play-off semi-finals at home.

Liam Foster gave the hosts the perfect start with the opening goal after two minutes and although Simeon Bird equalised for the visitors on 21 minutes, a penalty corner from Kwan Browne less than a minute later put the city club ahead at the break.

John Sterlini looked to have snatched a point for the Middlesex side from a set-piece shortly before the hour but Ben Allbery pounced two minutes from time to secure a 3-2 win.

Canterbury Ladies need to win their final game at Surbiton to secure top spot in the Premier Division and a place in European competition next season.

The city club secured a top-two finish with a 6-2 win over Olton & West Warwickshire at Polo Farm on Saturday but must win at Surbiton – who also need a victory to secure a play-off place – to finish above Leicester, one point behind with a slightly better goal difference.

Lucy Hyams and Eliza Brett gave the city club a fine start on Saturday night with goals in the opening five minutes and despite Pascale Massey halving the deficit after 10 minutes, Cara Jones made it 3-1 on 16 minutes and it took just three minutes for Jade Mayne to make it four.

A Mayne penalty stroke made it 5-1 after 22 minutes which allowed Canterbury to cruise through the rest of the game, with Mel Clewlow making it 6-1 from a penalty stroke just before the hour before a Kerry Thompson-Moore consolation.