Mel Clewlow struck the only goal of the game as Canterbury Ladies returned to the top of the Investec National Premier Division with a win over Reading on Sunday afternoon.

Clewlow struck from a penalty corner to give the hosts the points in the first of two games back-to-back at Polo Farm on the club’s president’s day.

The city club trailed their Berkshire visitors by goal-difference alone going into the game but are now three points clear after completing the double over their rivals.

They also have a nine-point lead over fifth-placed Bowdon Hightown in the race for the play-offs.

Canterbury’s men suffered a heartbreaking last-minute defeat against Reading, having led 3-0 in the second game of the double-header.

Michael Farrer converted a penalty corner to give the hosts the perfect start after just two minutes.

Fit-again Ross Gilham-Jones doubled the lead after 19 minutes and three minutes into the second-half Ben Allberry gave the city club a 3-0 lead.

However the champions pulled one back through a Tom Carson penalty corner on 42 minutes and Christopher Cargo made it 3-2 six minutes later.

An own-goal after 54 minutes restored Canterbury’s two-goal advantage but Reading struck twice in a minute just before the hour.

Richard Mantell converted a penalty corner and Darren Cheeseman did likewise within 60 seconds to make it 4-4 but with the game seemingly headed for a draw, the visitors snatched a last-minute winner through GB veteran Jonty Clarke.

The defeat left Canterbury sixth, six points behind fourth-placed Surbiton who occupy the final play-off spot.