OXTED'S promotion hopes were dealt a huge blow on Saturday as Wanderers came from two goals behind to win at Oxted School.
The O's defeat, coupled with Surbiton's win at London Edwardians, ensured a short stay at the top of the division for Oxted, who went back above Surbiton after defeating them 3-2 last week.
It all started so well for Oxted too on Saturday, with Amelia Lewis giving them the lead in just the second minute, running from her own half and unleashing an unstoppable shot from just inside the D.
After continued pressure from the hosts, Sam Dobson doubled the lead on 13 minutes, rifling home a penalty corner after good work by Luji Aromando forced the set piece.
But Oxted were unable to push on from there, with Wanderers hitting back with a goal on 22 minutes to reduce the deficit.
Lewis twice went close to a third goal for Oxted towards the end of the half, but on both occasions she shot just wide as she bore down on goal.
The O's were still the favourites going into the break 2-1 ahead and should have perhaps extended the lead early in the second half, with Aromando going close.
But the hosts were stunned on 46 minutes when Wanderers grabbed an equaliser out of the blue.
And it got worse six minutes later, with Wanderers capitalising on a defensive error by Emily Chartres to take the lead.
Oxted tried to get back into it late on, but things just would not happen for the league leaders, with Dobson, Lewis and skipper Lisa Nightingale all going close in the closing stages.
As such, the O's were sent crashing to a fifth league defeat of the season, toppling them from the top of the Surrey Premier Division.
After the game, the O's captain was at a loss to explain her side's second half capitulation.
"We had a great first half, but I don't really know what happened in the second half," she said.
"Things just would not happen for us. "We are gutted because that knocks us off the top and we will be relying on a favour from someone else now.
"We have got Guildford next week at home and we just have to try and win that one."
And with two of the final three league games at home, Nightingale says home form will be key to Oxted's chances of promotion.
After Saturday's game, the O's focus turns back to the National Vase competition, with Hampstead & Westminster the visitors to Oxted County School on Sunday.
And Nightingale said the O's would be going all out to try and win to take a step closer to retaining their title.
"Our ultimate goal is the league," she said.
"But it would be nice to have another run in the Vase.
"It was great to win it last year and we will look to go as far as we can again this year."
