LOCH & Quay were made to wait a little longer to be confirmed as Hayward Sunday League Division One champions, after a severely depleted Abbey managed to hold them to a 2-2 draw.

Playing with just nine men throughout, heroic Abbey defended brilliantly and even took the lead after 32 minutes through Luke Dawe, after some excellent work to create the opportunity by Max Wilcock.

Loch & Quay were soon on level terms however, when a corner was headed home by Harry Cooper.

Abbey continued to frustrate the league leaders until the 72nd minute when a defensive slip let in River Smith to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.

But Abbey were not done and they equalised with a spectacular effort from central defender Kenny Strong.

Only a complete disaster in their final league game of the season on Sunday against Talbot Rangers would prevent Loch & Quay from taking the title.

Abbey go to the County Ground hoping to retain the Dorset Sunday Challenge Cup in this year’s final against Alderney Manor.

Meanwhile, reigning league champions East Christchurch SSC are three points adrift of the leaders with one game left to play.

Mal Thomas (2), Matt Piovan and Tommy Harris gave them the upper hand 4-2 against Talbot Rangers, who replied through Luke Pidgley and Matty Ings.

Wiseguys and Newtown Athletic are both three points off the summit in Division Two with games in hand on AFC Stourvale, the current occupants of top spot.

Adam Louka’s hat-trick proved decisive in Wiseguys’ 4-2 success against NMO. John Taylor was the other Wiseguys marksman while James Jose and Darryl Stevens replied for the visitors.

Meanwhile, Newtown Athletic hammered Bournemouth Sports Mercury 6-1 thanks to Lewis Tapley, Adam Janes, Tom Mann, Rob Mabey and a couple of goals from Kyle Graham.

Grant Norman was the Mercury marksman.

Toby Williams netted for Alderney Manor but they suffered only their second defeat in 15 league and cup outings when Shoulder of Mutton just got the better of them 2-1 thanks to Louis Baker Stroud and Bailey Vernon-Higgs.

Vienna Suttoners are closing in on the Division Three title.

Dave Brown and Brad Connell ensured a 2-0 success against third-placed Bearwood Broncos.

A win in their final league game on May 5 against bottom of the table MK Interiors would get Vienna over the finish line.

Nearest rivals AFC East Christchurch are running them close having swept aside Bournemouth Athletic 5-0 thanks to a Ryan Finch hat-trick and further goals from Ben Collie and Richard Sainsbury.

Callum Neate led the way with a hat-trick when Poole Borough poleaxed bottom side Branksome Liberal 7-2 in Division Four.

Declan Collins, Tony O’Callaghan, Craig Baker, and Conor Whitlock were the other Borough marksmen.

Jamie Cooper rattled in four when Upton Sociedad walloped Parkstone Athletic 9-1 in Division Five.

Ross Fletcher bagged a brace with Ben Lees, Alex Airey, and Oscar Cluett adding one each.

Ed Watts and Adam Dale netted for New Milton Borough but Parkstone were 5-2 winners thanks to Harry Wheeler, Jack Bennett, Jamie O’Shea and a couple of goals from Matt Knight.

Matt Justice and Mark Johnson netted for Kirkfield United but they had to settle for a point when Damian Jaiowiczor struck twice to earn Forest United a 2-2 draw.

Siemens had a two-goal lead with 20 minutes to go against championship rivals JP Morgan reserves thanks to a couple of goals from Dan Jones.

But JP Morgan came back through Lloyd Wallen and a Joe Taylor brace to win 3-2 and clinch the Division Six title.

Mihai-Adrian Voina struck twice in Longfleet’s 4-2 win over Quayside with Ryan Cairns and Sam Bush adding one each.

Quayside’s goal came via Kai McCrow and an own goal.

Ringwood Town took over on top of the under-18 division from Christchurch, after toppling the leaders 1-0.

Hamworthy Recreation and Redhill Rangers cancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw. Oliver Bird struck for Rec with Cian Lynch earning Rangers a point.