WOMEN'S SUPER LEAGUE

OXFORD United came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw at home to Durham, extending their unbeaten run to three games in the process, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

Goals from Jemma Purfield and Beth Hepple had put the visitors 2-0 ahead at Abingdon United's Northcourt Road, but United struck twice late on through Kayleigh Hines and Lauren Allison to claim a point.

And the draw moved the U's off the bottom of the Division 2 table following London Bees’ 1-0 defeat at Watford.

United shaded the early stages against Durham, but fell behind after half an hour when Purfield met Emily Scott's pinpoint diagonal ball before firing home.

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It came against the run of play and the U’s quickly set about making amends when Allison teed up Laura Low, only for the winger’s effort to come back off the post.

And matters got worse for Oxford in the 63rd minute, when Hepple doubled the visitors’ advantage, curling an excellent free-kick into the top corner.

But United responded well and pulled one back when Hines flicked on Jemma Connor-Iommi’s free-kick, doing enough to divert it past goalkeeper Anne Moorhouse.

And they completed the comeback shortly afterwards from the penalty spot after Low had been felled in the area by Zoe Ness.

Allison made no mistake from the spot, giving Moorhouse little chance with her powerful strike from 12 yards.

Oxford United: Lambourne, Chivers, Connor-Iommi, Osborne-Ricketts, King, Hines, Nutman (Nichol 90), Franklin-Fraiture (Simmonds 64), Low, Stanley, Allison.

Subs not used: Pickett, Pinker, Marshall.

Referee: Declan O’Shea.

Attendance: 146.

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