Canterbury Ladies moved a step closer to an historic first-placed finish in Investec National Premier Division with a 1-0 win over Beeston on Saturday.

The city club made it 11 wins in their 14 matches so far this season thanks to a Nikki Lloyd penalty corner conversion on 11 minutes at Polo Farm.

By virtue of winning their game in hand, Canterbury are now four points clear of second-placed Reading with four games to go.

They can mathematically seal a top-four finish and a play-off place this weekend if they avoid defeat against fifth-placed Leicester at Polo Farm on Saturday (5pm).

Liam Foster struck a hat-trick as Canterbury’s men continued their quest for an unlikely play-off place in the NOW Pensions National Premier Division.

After overcoming Cannock the previous weekend, the city club edged past Wimbledon 5-3 on Sunday to narrow the gap on the fifth-placed South Londoners and all-but ensure they will avoid the drop even if they lose all four remaining games.

The Dons went 1-0 ahead before the break but Foster levelled five minutes into the second half.

The hosts struck two minutes later to go 2-1 up but Foster replied within 60 seconds and player-coach Kwan Browne completed the turnaround on 55 minutes.

Foster made it 4-2 with his third on 61 minutes but a penalty corner strike made it a one-goal game within seconds of the restart, and the visitors needed Ben Allberry’s clincher on 65 minutes to ensure the points.

Canterbury lie six points behind fourth-placed Surbiton with four games remaining while Wimbledon are two points back in fifth.