The fact that the match was played at all was down to Haslemere skipper Chris Stokes' keenness to play, a decision supported by home captain Dave Jervis and the umpires.
Conditions were initially appalling with relentless rain driving across the Army Astro at Aldershot. The previous game had been abandoned after a goal was blown over.
But both sides started brightly, with A&F for once sticking to a short-passing game, rather than defending deep and relying on quick counter-attacks. Honours were about even at first, with two excellent defences in control.
However, it was Aldershot who opened the scoring when, following good work from Graham Charlesworth, Steve Farrer hit a thunderous drive that gave Dan Hollyman no chance.
Haslemere made a typically positive response and, after a flowing move, Tony Mayson had a chance to equalise, only to be thwarted by the alert Rob Boston.
A dramatic moment followed on the stroke of half-time. An Aldershot free-hit was cleverly deflected goalwards by Graeme Matthews and Hollyman somehow changed direction in mid-air to parry the ball.
The second half followed a set pattern. Haslemere, missing the skills of the injured Dhiren Patel, but inspired by his ear-bashing at the interval, pressed hard for an equaliser. Aldershot's entire squad were pushed to the limit, but defended well enough to force the visitors into a number of unforced errors.
The home midfield of Farrer, Charlesworth, Brett Smith and Matthews worked tirelessly, while Aaron Abbott and Simon Slater gave excellent support.
When they did break through, Haslemere met a solid defensive line. Mark Bonelle, Chris Jones, Alun Chick and Jervis were all outstanding. Behind them, the reliable Boston made a couple of spectacular saves from penalty corners.
Haslemere, too, were indebted to the disciplined defence of Nick Cracknell, Byron Tibbits, Will Davenport and Dave Mayson, and the agility of 'keeper Hollyman, their player of the half-season.
A clever one-two between Charlesworth and Paul Hales resulted in an improvised reverse-stick shot flying into the net, only for the goal to be disallowed.
Encouraged, Haslemere finally drew level when, after a swift raid down the left, Simon Allis crashed the ball home from an acute angle.
But A&F, who had drawn the earlier league encounter after leading 2-0 and then been blitzed by Haslemere in the Hampshire Cup, were not to be denied this time.
Two minutes later, Farrer turned sharply on the top of the 'D' and sent another rasping shot into the corner of the goal for a worthy winner.
This was an excellent advertisement for local hockey. Both teams played a committed game without the need for abusing fellow players or umpires. The match, indeed, was particularly well controlled, contributing to the fine spirit in which it was played.
Aldershot & Farnham have now taken seven points from a possible nine and are perhaps clear of the dreaded relegation zone. They travel to Fleet this Saturday, while Haslemere, not quite out of the woods yet, entertain Southampton at Woolmer Hill.