Oxford United Women were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw away to Lewes on Sunday, after Ellie-Mae Richardson had given them a half-time lead. The home side equalised with quarter of an hour remaining through Sarah Harvey to ensure the points were shared.
The first 20 minutes were well contested, with Lewes shading possession and having but rarely threatening Beth Howard's goal.
After soaking up some pressure from the home side, United took the lead on the break. The ball was spread wide to Richardson, who lifted her shot over Emily Moore to break the deadlock.
United improved after the goal and kept the Rooks penned in their own half, without being able to find that elusive second goal.
Richardson took a knock on the ankle and was replaced just before the break, when Lucy Trinder also had to go off with another injury. The changes didn't affect Oxford's momentum and they started the second half strongly, but despite chances for Jaime Gotch and Zoe Creaney they couldn't extend their lead.
This gave Lewes the confidence to come forward and pressure the U's back line and, after a flurry of shots, Harvey found the equaliser with a shot following a scramble from a corner for her first goal for her side.
The game opened up in the final 15 minutes, with both sides having chances to grab the winner but neither being able to.
The result saw United drop a place to fourth, with a difficult trip to Gwalia United to come this Sunday.
After the game, manager Sam Rose said: "I was proud of the character that the players showed, they worked tremendously hard. We would have liked to have played with some more quality, but sometimes it doesn't go like that.
"We dug in and had to do a lot to keep Lewes out, particularly in the second half. They had one set piece too many and they've ended up getting the equaliser.
"They've had some good performances and results of late and we knew it wouldn't be an easy game."
UNITED: Howard, Gibson, Wiseman, Creaney, Legg, Barratt, Poole, Richardson (Oliver 42), Gotch, Barrett, Bryant (Trinder 46)
