It was the usual story of Haslemere going behind, this time to a superb goal, Aldershot breaking from their own 'D' to score at the other end without the home team touching the ball. Skipper Graham Charlesworth did the leg work with a spellbinding run, leaving Gary Bagnall with a simple conversion.
Haslemere then dug deep and started to put the visitors under pressure, eventually winning a short corner which was clinically finished by Duncan Berry, following an initial save by Robinson.
Ten minutes later came the first contender for goal of the season for Haslemere. The ball was worked down the right by Will South and Dan Clarke and then crossed into the 'D' by Russi Travlos, to be expertly deflected over the 'keeper by James Agace – pure brilliance.
But Haslemere had to defend in numbers after half-time as A&F hit the purple patch they have been promising for some time.
The Farnham defensive pairing of Dave Jervis and Mark Boulle combined well and with the full-backs pushing forward, Haslemere were forced to pack their own 'D', where Chris Stokes and David Mayson worked overtime with their tackling.
A&F scored twice in the space of a few minutes, both goals coming from short corners. First, a Bagnall strike was well saved by Dan Hollyman, only for Steve Farrer to smash home the rebound.
Then, with Haslemere temporarily down to 10 men, Aldershot won another short corner and Graeme Matthews cleverly deflected in Hales' powerful delivery.
A&F thus led 3-2 and were on course to repeat last season's victory. But with five minutes to go, Haslemere saved themselves with another top-class goal.
It was again set up by South and Clarke down the right. The ball was thumped into the Aldershot 'D' and was picked up on the reverse stick by Berry, who nonchalantly pushed it past Robinson to level the scores.
This was an excellent advertisement for the sport, both team playing competitive hockey, but maintaining a high level of sportsmanship.
This week, the Blues travel to Fleet. Expect a 3-3 draw! A&F entertain third-placed Southampton.
Haslemere: Hollyman, Davenport, Stokes, D Mayson, South, Clarke, Roberts, Alliss, Berry, Agace, Dodson, Travlos, A Mayson.
A&F: Robinson, Jenkins, Bouelle, Goddard, Jervis, Willis, Groves, Smith, Matthews, Hales, Charlesworth, Bagnall, Farrer.