OXFORD United captain Lauren Haynes blamed defensive errors for their 4-2 defeat at home to Durham in the FA Women’s Super League 2.

The U’s took an early lead through Kayleigh Hines. But Zoe Ness then hit a brace for Durham, while Sarah Robson scored in her second game back from pregnancy

Haynes said: “We went 1-0 up, but then we just made silly mistakes, which cost us.

“Fair play to Durham, they scored some good goals, but I don’t think they scored through breaking us down – they scored simply from our mistakes.

“I hate to say it, but I think we got a little bit complacent after going 1-0 up.

“We started at full strength and got that goal, and then, for some reason, we got a bit lazy and that’s when they punished us.”

In their first match after the winter break, United went ahead in the fourth minute when Durham goalkeeper Megan Borthwick was unable to hold Emily Allen’s low cross, and Hines scrambled the ball into the net.

Sloppiness at the back led to the visitors equalising as Steph Williams was caught in possession 25 yards from her own goal by Ness, whose through ball allowed Beth Hepple to fire home.

Durham went ahead for the first time just after the hour mark when Nicki Gears’s low cross was deflected into the path of Ness, who finished well.

The Wildcats made it 3-1 when Hepple’s corner was met by the head of Robson, whose effort sneaked through the defenders on the line.

Durham defender Kathryn Hill prevented Oxford from getting back in the game with a brilliant goal-line clearance after Chloe Chivers had lobbed the ball over keeper Megan Borthwick.

After a lengthy delay following an injury to referee Linda Lindskog, the U’s pulled one back, with Ellis Hillman producing a powerful finish after being found by Taome Oliver.

But the comeback was short-lived as Ness fired into the corner to complete the scoring.

Oxford Utd: Lambourne, Franklin-Fraiture, Short, Haynes, Hillman, Williams, Carlton, Noble (Donovan 60), Hines, Allen (Chivers 63), Oliver. Subs not used: Skinner, Baker, Fyfe, Pickett, Tilbury.

Attendance: 158.

To buy tickets to an FA Women’s Super League match: go to www.fawsl.com/tickets.

l OXFORD United have been drawn away to Cardiff City in the fourth round of the SSE Women’s FA Cup.