United held by 90th-minute leveller
After leading for 86 minutes United had to settle for a point at London Bees as the home side equalised in the final minute of normal time. Laura Low had put the U's ahead in the just the fourth minute but with a second win of the season just minutes away substitute Rebecca Anderson broke the visitors' hearts to earn a 1-1 draw for the Bees.With Gemma Simmonds ruled out by an ankle injury, Kat Nutman returned to the United defence, while Ella Franklin-Fraiture also came into the team in place of Helen King.
United, looking to get off the bottom of the table after being leapfrogged by the Bees at the weekend, made the perfect start as they took the lead with just three minutes played. Laura Low seized on a poor backpass from Samantha Chappell before calmly rounding goalkeeper Sophie Harris and stroking the ball home.
The U's were passing the ball around confidently, with the front trio of Lauren Allison, Laura Low and Katie Stanley looking a constant threat. And the U's could have gone two goals ahead before the break, Ella Franklin-Fraiture blazing over from close range after Lauren Allison had flicked on Low's excellent cross.
And Low could have netted her second shortly after the restart, volleying powerfully from Allison's flick but straight at the Bees goalkeeper.
The Bees pushed for an equaliser but despite increasing pressure from the hosts the U's looked comfortable at the back. There was one nervy moment when goalkeeper Demi Lambourne fumbled Anneka Nuttall's ball across, but fortunately for her there were no attackers on hand to poke the loose ball into the unguarded net.
But United tired as the game wore on and as stoppage time approached the home side got their leveller. Rebecca Anderson pounced on a defensive mix-up to break through the lines before slotting past the defenceless Demi Lambourne.
United: Lambourne, Hines, Osborne-Ricketts, Chivers, Stanley, Allison (Pickett 70), Low (Nichol 83), Nutman Connor-Iommi, Alexander, Franklin-Fraiture (King 66). Subs not used: Marshall, Pinker.
Attendance: 101