Durham Women returned to winning ways courtesy of a 2-0 triumph over Crystal Palace.

A fine strike from Emily Roberts and a late own goal from Ciara Watling secured the points for the Wildcats – although the margin of victory failed to reflect a game that the hosts dominated throughout.

Injuries forced Lee Sanders to make changes to his staring line-up, but those switches failed to affect Durham who started brightly.

Rachel Lee curled an early effort over before Zoe Ness’ cut-back was hacked away from danger before Abi Cottam could convert.

The hosts continued to pile on the pressure, with Roberts flashing an effort just wide of the far post and Cottam firing over after a lighting quick counter-attack.

Palace had their moments, but failed to seriously test Hannah Reid who was merely a spectator for the most part – although she did have to remain alert to hold a curling effort from Kallie Balfour.

Durham, though, were still pouring forward in numbers and Beth Hepple and Roberts came agonisingly close to open the scoring as frustrations in front of goal continued.

Ness and Lee both squandered late opportunities to take the lead as the game remained goalless at the break.

But it took the hosts just over 10 minutes of the second half to find that elusive breakthrough as Roberts curled into the bottom corner from 12 yards out.

The visitors saw more of the ball as they sought an equaliser but failed to seriously trouble Reid as the Wildcats’ back four remained solid.

And Durham doubled their lead with just five minutes remaining as a mix-up between stopper Shannel Salgado and Watling saw the latter head into her own goal.

Reid made a late save from a Jade Keogh free-kick, but the Wildcats held on to claim a comfortable victory.

Durham XI: Reid, Wilson, Robson, Hepple (Knott), Ness (Dixon), Salicki, Christon, Roberts, Cottam, Holmes (Greenwood), Lee

Sub not used: Borthwick