Durham Women’s spirited showing at Leicester City wasn’t enough to earn them a result in a hard-fought encounter.
Beth Hepple’s early goal in her 300th appearance for the club put the Blues ahead at the King Power Stadium, but goals from Paulina Nystrom, Jess Ziu and Asmita Ale turned the game on its head.
Jade Pennock pulled one back for Durham before a late own goal secured victory for the hosts.
Willie Kirk named an unchanged team from the opening day and Durham began brightly – opening the scoring with just eight minutes on the clock.
After Pennock pressed well to win back possession she teed-up Hepple who stroked home into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Clear-cut chances were at a premium after that, but Leicester found a way back into the game when Nystrom bundled home from close range.
And two goals in first half injury time saw the Foxes take the initiative – Ziu finishing from inside the six yard box before Ale curled home a stunner from 20 yards.
Durham rallied after the restart and were in the ascendancy – Pennock and Ede firing over before the latter found a crucial goal.
Substitute Bayley Hutchison saw a powerful shot parried and the summer signing reacted quickest to hook home and reduce the advantage.
The Blues thought they had a golden chance for a leveller when Hutchison found herself through on goal, only for the offside flag to be raised – much to the appeals of the Durham players and staff.
And against the run of play, Leicester added a fourth when Nystrom’s low cross was found its way in via a Durham defender.
Durham continued to push into injury time but couldn’t find another goal – and will go again against Nottingham Forest at Maiden Castle next Sunday.
