Sheffield United Women drew 1-1 with Durham after soaking up the pressure from the title contenders all afternoon.
The visitors knew they could move to the top of the Women’s Championship with a win, and had already beaten Blades twice so far this season, including on the opening day.
The first half started quite evenly, but it wasn’t long before Durham started to apply some pressure down the wings, with Grace Ayre and Lily Crosthwaite linking up effectively on multiple occasions to beat the Blades down the right wing and get crosses in towards Sian Rogers in the Blades goal.
Durham’s reward would come 24 minutes in, when Michaela Foster’s corner looped all the way over the entire Blades defence and Rogers, into the back of the net. Durham continued to move forward after this, but couldn;t quite get a second goal before half-time.
They would come closer still just three minutes after half-time, with a defensive mixup almost proving disastrous for the Blades, but Claypole wasn’t able to direct her effort goalwards from close range.
United then drew level after 65 minutes, courtesy of Jacqui Hand heading in from a Leanne Cowan cross down the right wing.
Durham pushed for a winner and came close on multiple occasions, but they weren’t able to break down a resilient Blades backline in the time remaining, and were forced to settle for a point.
Blades move a further point clear of the drop zone after their battling performance, awaiting the result of Portsmouth’s game against the London City Lionesses later.
Durham remained fourth at the final whistle, but could drop as low as sixth depending on results around the grounds, later this afternoon.
Blades don’t play for two weeks now, and next play when they travel to Birmingham on Sunday 16 February. Durham are next in action when they host Blackburn on Sunday 9 February.
