Ashley Jackson scored five times as East Grinstead ended their league campaign with a thrilling 7-7 draw away to Loughborough Students.

Three of Jackson¹s goals came in the last six minutes as Grinstead, who had led 2-0 early on, fought back from 7-4 down. The club had suffered a blow in the build-up to the game when their appeal against a recent 3-3 draw at Hampstead and Westminster was rejected by England Hockey¹s competitions committee.

Grinstead wanted the game replayed and although they were considering taking the matter further the draw with Loughborough means their hopes of clinching the third European place for next season have disappeared. They now have to settle for fourth place their original target at the start of the season four points behind Loughborough.

Manager Matt Jones said: "We had already secured fourth place which is a fantastic achievement but to have performed so well throughout the season to put ourselves in a position to capture the third European spot and then have it taken away was very disheartening and disappointing.  It was quite clear to Mark Pearn (coach) and myself that the edge had been lost but they still managed to draw against a side we have never beaten outdoors."

Grinstead were also without three of their regular defenders for the majority of the match as Simon Ogden and James Southgate were missing while Josh Cather went off injured within the first five minutes.

Jackson took his tally to 28 goals for the season with a tally which included four goals from penalty corners while Darren Cheesman netted the other two as well as earning two of the three short corners which produced goals in the closing stages.