OXFORD United Women were in a sad but defiant mood after they finished bottom of the FA Women’s Super League 2 Spring Series.

Manager Andy Cook’s side lost 4-0 against runners-up Doncaster Belles in front of nearly 500 fans at Abingdon United on Sunday to end the campaign without a victory.

Goals from Sophie Barker, Kirsty Hanson, Rebecca Rayner and Christie Murray saw the Belles finish second to champions Everton.

United’s Lauren Haynes said: “It’s tough. We haven’t won a game this season which is heart-breaking.

“But at the end of the day – as we’ve always said this season – we’re looking at the long-term picture.

“I thought we played well today, but we can’t argue with the fact that Doncaster were the better team.

“All year, the average age of our squad has been 19. We’ve brought players in and let players go.

“We’re still trying to work out what works best for us. We’ve played four or five different formations this year.

“We’re getting to grips with what works well and when we get the passing going, we’re a good side. Unfortunately, we keep conceding goals.”

The visitors opened the scoring after 25 minutes as a neat move saw Mayumi Pacheco square the ball to Murray who couldn’t miss from six yards.

The Belles would have doubled their lead but for a tremendous goal-line clearance from Haynes after Courtney Sweetman-Kirk had rounded goalkeeper Demi Lambourne.

Then seconds before half time Hanson, who’d had several chances to score, finally got her goal, chipping the ball over Lambourne, who had rushed out to meet her.

Just minutes after the restart, the Belles killed the game as Barker forced the Oxford defence into an error before lifting the ball over Lambourne.

On 55 minutes Lambourne made a superb save, tipping over Emily Simpkins’s driven shot and the Oxford stopper continued to excel, showing outstanding bravery to deny Sweetman-Kirk.

Rayner hammered home the fourth goal on the rebound late on, after Sweetman-Kirk struck the bar.

Oxford United: Lambourne, Frampton (Umotong HT), Casley (Oliver HT), Haynes (Pickett 72), Lane, Franklin-Fraiture, Deeley, Donovan, Lee, Noble, Gane. Subs not used: Thomas, Baker, Roberts

Attendance: 479.

l To buy tickets to an FA Women’s Super League match, go to ticketstores.co.uk/fawsl/