OXFORD United lost their unbeaten record in FA Women’s Super League 2 when they lost 1-0 away to Millwall Lionesses.

The hosts scored early on to secure a victory that takes them back to the top of the table, while United drop down to fifth.

Ella Rutherford scored the only goal of the game after ten minutes, firing in a long-range strike that crept beyond visiting keeper Demi Lambourne.

Ellis Hillman tried to respond immediately for Oxford, but her low shot was saved.

Lambourne then spilled a free kick, but Millwall could not capitalise on the loose ball.

The hosts should have doubled their lead in the second half when Charlie Devlin sent Rianna Dean clear, but Lambourne saved well.

Chloe Chivers then dragged a shot wide from Kayleigh Hines’ lofted through-ball for Oxford, who upped the pressure as the game progressed.

With just minutes left, Dean should have wrapped the game up, but was denied by a fine save, before Ellie Mason shot against the bar.

Oxford defender Hannah Short said: “It was a very close game and it was a sloppy goal to concede that decided it.

“It’s a shame to lose the unbeaten record, but we can be happy with some parts of today’s performance.”

Oxford Utd: Lambourne, Franklin-Fraiture, Short, Yorston, Hillman, Carlton, Hines, Williams (Fyfe 79), Oliver, Chivers, Allen (Noble 76). Subs not used: Sercombe, Baker, Pickett, Colley.

Attendance: 217.

l England face Bosnia & Herzegovina in a FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier at Walsall on November 24 (7.05pm). Buy tickets (£10 adult/£1 under-18) at www.thefa.com/tickets.