Middlesbrough moved back to the top of the FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division after a 3-2 win at Derby County.
Goals from Bianca Owens, Emily Scarr and Ellie Dobson had the visitors 3-1 up after 77 minutes.
But Derby, who saw Nicole Dale level in the first half, were not done with Ellie May’s effort setting up a tense finish, which only intensified in stoppage time when the hosts were awarded a penalty.
FA Women's Premier League
Northern and Southern Divisions
Sunday 27 November 2016
By Pippa Field
But Samantha Griffiths missed with her spot-kick as Boro held on to their lead to move top of the table.
At the other end of the table, there was a big win for Nottingham Forest as they beat Newcastle United 5-1.
The hosts were 2-0 up at the break following goals for Annabel McKechnie and Katie Lowder.
Charlotte Broad tapped in for 3-0, Catherine Beaver’s header added a fourth and then Georgia Gladwin rounded off the scoring after Newcastle had pulled a goal back through Sophie Williams.
Leicester City also enjoyed a big win, defeating Huddersfield Town 6-1.
Kim Farrow kick-started the scoring in the fifth minute after holding her nerve when put through one-on-one with the keeper before Shauna Cossens then slotted home to double the lead on 14 minutes.
Huddersfield pulled a goal back on 28 minutes, but just 60 seconds later Farrow netted again to restore the two-goal lead before completing her hat-trick from the spot on 32 minutes, while substitute Lauren Impey and the impressive Sophie Domingo added further goals after the break.
In the league’s other game, Bradford City returned from Stoke City to Yorkshire with maximum points after triumphing 3-1.
Hannah Campbell continued her recent red-hot run with two goals while Abi Lee added a third shortly before the break as Bradford completed their first-ever league double over the Potters.
In the Southern Division, Tottenham Hotspur lead the rest of the pack after a 4-0 win at Swindon Town.
It took until the second half to break the deadlock, but they did it in style with Bianca Baptiste, Renee Hector, Nikita Whinnett and Kelley Blanchflower all netting.
Charlton Athletic also enjoyed a good day, moving up to second after a 4-2 home win over Portsmouth.
The scores were level at 1-1 at half-time after Portsmouth’s Sammy Quayle cancelled out Charley Clifford’s early effort.
But goals for Kit Graham, Charlotte Lee and Clifford secured the win with Sarah Kempson getting a late second for Portsmouth.
Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United played out a 1-1 draw with Jenny Critchley earning a point for the hosts with a first-half equaliser.
