Durham Women fell to defeat against promotion-chasing Charlton Athletic – but were unlucky not to gain at least a point.
Elisha N’Dow’s sixth-minute header was enough for the Addicks, who were indebted to stopper Jess Gray who made a string of fine saves in the second half to keep the Blues at bay.
Claire Ditchburn made just one change from the side that drew at Blackburn Rovers last time out – as Ella Wilson stepped into the starting line-up in place of Sarah Robson.
The first real chance of the game yielded the opening goal – a deep free-kick was headed back across goal for N’Dow to nod home from close range.
Durham rallied and started to create the clearer of the opportunities, with Lily Crosthwaite seeing a shot deflected narrowly wide before Amy Andrews was agonisingly close to turning home Mollie Lambert’s low cross.
Naoisha McAloon then had to hold a curler from Melissa Fillis and made an even finer stop moments before half-time as she thwarted Kirsty Barton after the Charlton attacker found herself one-on-one.
But while the second half began at a slow place, it was the hosts who began to turn the screw as the game wore on.
Kiera Skeels made a heroic block to stop Beth Hepple scoring after a sustained spell of Durham pressure before the midfielder saw a corner clawed onto the bar by Gray as it looked set to drop in at the back stick.
Lily Crosthwaite then saw an effort hacked off the line before Gray made another stunning stop in added time – denying Andrews to ensure the three points headed to London.
The result leaves Durham in 8th, while Charlton are fourth.
Durham are in league action again next weekend as they take on Sunderland in the River Wear Derby. The North East rivals lock horns at Eppleton CW on Sunday, March 24 (2pm KO).
The Blues are next in action at Maiden Castle against Crystal Palace, in a game that kicks-off at 12pm on Sunday 31st March.
Tickets for that game are available from just £4 by clicking HERE.
Durham XI: McAloon, Briggs, S Wilson (Bradley), Hepple, Lambert, Andrews, Crosthwaite, Salicki, Ayre, E Wilson (Ryan-Doyle), Noonan
Durham subs not used: Saunders, Bramley, Nicholson
Bookings: Hepple
Attendance: 1052
