WITH two England Hockey League rounds remaining, Isca moved out of the bottom two of Men's Conference West for the first time this term following a 2-2 derby draw with University of Exeter.
Isca will seek to maintain their terrific late season turnaround and four-match unbeaten run at table-topping Cardiff & Met this Sunday (1pm).
Only goal difference separates the bottom three, who are all level on 14 points from 16 rounds.
Second-from-bottom Havant prepare to visit fourth-placed University of Exeter on Sunday (12.30pm) in a potentially crucial game.
Nick Cooper took his remarkable season's national league goal tally to 21 by scoring Exeter's second goal as they rallied from 1-0 down to lead 2-1 in the 54th minute.
Andrew Ross cancelled out Harry Skinner's 11th minute opener from a penalty corner after 14 minutes.
Tom Whitworth's penalty corner finish restored parity for Isca once again in the 64th minute.
Isca ace Whitworth has now scored 10 national league goals this term.
Havant will arrive in Exeter off the back of a 1-0 home defeat by resurgent Guildford
University of Exeter old boy and England centre forward Tom Carson scored again in Reading's 2-0 home Premier Division win over Sheffield Hallam to maintain the Berkshire club's title bid.
University of Exeter graduate Claire Thomas took her national league goal tally to 20 for the season with the 34th-minute opener in Isca University's 2-1 derby win over relegated Exe at St Peter's School.
Thomas turned provider to tee up the tireless Carla Dunnett for Isca's 56th minute second goal. It was a favour returned as Dunnett's pass later enabled Thomas to score.
Clare Whitworth responded with a 58th-minute goal for Exe, who visit second-placed Slough on Saturday.
Firebrands ensured their safety for another season with a crucial 3-1 home win over relegation rivals Barnes, which condemns their visitors to the relegation play-offs.
Barnes' crucial final league match of the season is at Exe on Saturday March 22, at St Peter's School.
Sixth-placed Isca University will be looking for victory when they host leaders Buckingham this Saturday at the University Sports Park (12.30pm).
Victory for the visitors will clinch a fourth successive title for Buckingham.
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