OXFORD United’s unbeaten start to the Women’s Super League 2 season continued, but there was frustration at being pegged back by a late equaliser.

Sophie Perry’s 85th-minute free-kick earned a 2-2 draw for visitors Brighton & Hove Albion at Court Place Farm.

After a goalless first half, the U’s had fallen behind to their former striker Ini Umotong.

But the hosts hit back to lead with goals from Chloe Chivers and Taome Oliver, before the late setback.

Chivers said: “We scored two great goals in the second half and it was a shame to concede late.

“The game was a good scrap and we came out with a good draw to stay unbeaten in the league.”

She added: “The draw is quite difficult to take, but it’s still a good result.

“Our unbeaten record in the league is really good for us.

“The free-kick at the end for their equaliser maybe could have been prevented, but it was well struck so we could not have done too much about it.”

Katie Natkiel had early chances for the visitors, first with a speculative lob from distance and then a shot which was cleared off the line by Ella Franklin-Fraiture.

Oliver hit a post in the 13th minute, while Emily Allen fired a good chance straight at Albion goalkeeper Lucy Gillet from Steph Williams’s fine pass.

The visitors’ bright start to the second-half was rewarded when Umotong’s header from Perry’s free-kick went in via a deflection.

It capped a strange day for the striker, who had enjoyed a productive spell with United.

She said: “I wouldn’t say I was extra determined to score against my old club because as a forward naturally I want to score but I suppose it was more personal to get my goal at Oxford.

“I left Oxford on good terms. It’s a nice, friendly and family club so there were a few quick hellos and smiles before the game, but I was in the zone to play the game.”

Within eight minutes United were level, when Chivers calmly slotted the ball home after Ellis Hillman’s run from the back.

Brighton’s Aileen Whelan smashed a shot against the woodwork and the miss was quickly punished by Oliver’s emphatic finish after she was found by Franklin-Fraiture.

But the final word went to substitute Perry, whose free-kick from 25 yards earned a share of the spoils.

Next up, the U’s host Manchester City in the Continental Cup on Thursday (7.45).

Oxford Utd: Lambourne, Franklin-Fraiture, Hillman, Williams, Yorston, Hines, Carlton, Oliver, Chivers, Allen (Fyfe 87), Donovan (Noble 64).

Unused subs: Sercombe, Baker, Deeley, Pickett, Gane. Attendance: 204

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