SALE Hockey Club's men's seconds had high hopes of victory against Keele University men's firsts but went down 4-1 in Barrington Sports North West Hockey League Division Six.

Their performance was flat and error-strewn; passes were sloppy and shots were poorly hit.

They battled gamely, but it just did not click and Keele were let off the hook repeatedly.

The visitors came within an inch or two of taking the lead, Ben Brown saving and Hugo Wright somehow managing to clear the loose ball off the line under immense pressure.

Sale could have been three or four goals up at half time but instead went in 1-0 down.

Nevertheless, Simon Bradbury and Lee Wilks were doing a good job in central defence, with Wright and Phil Langridge both keeping their wingers quiet. Johnny Furber was doing his job, while Nathan Pavitt and Lee Johnstone were combative in midfield.

However, Keele doubled their lead and Brian Talabi's frustration showed as he got himself green carded for hitting the ball away after letting it run out of play.

It was soon 3-0 and with 10 minutes to go, Sale were just playing for pride.

They conceded a fourth but did manage a late consolation goal, Pavitt's quick-thinking ball from a long corner finding Jonty Binns and then Talabi who managed to pass it into the goal wide of a despairing keeper.