Durham Women suffered defeat in the first North East Derby of the season against Newcastle United.
Hildur Antonsdottir put the Magpies ahead before the break with strikes from Jordan Nobbs and Martha Thomas in the second half wrapping-up victory for the visitors.
Chances were at a premium in the early stages and while Newcastle dominated the ball, Durham posed a threat.
Amber Stobbs’ cross saw Beth Hepple have a header well-blocked before Hepple turned provider and whipped in a cross which Anna Tamminen bravely claimed before Rachel Lowe could convert.
But Newcastle started to pose more questions as the half wore on and Beth Lumsden twice came close – firstly seeing a powerful strike from the angle strike the bar before Maddy McComasky had to bravely block a goal-bound effort.
And the visitors would take the lead shortly after when Antonsdottir reacted quickest to turn home from close range following a corner.
After the break, Durham began to have a greater spell of dominance and Tamminen got down well to thwart Lauren Briggs after her cushioned volley from Sarah Wilson’s cross looked set to find the bottom corner.
But just as the Blues looked to be gaining a foothold, Newcastle struck.
After Cat Sheppard did well to deny Thomas, there was nothing she could do to prevent Nobbs from volleying home the rebound.
Durham continued to press and Jade Pennock sent a header narrowly over.
Any hope of a comeback was extinguished when Newcastle added a third, though – Thomas converting from close range.
Hepple came close to reducing the deficit late on as Tamminen saved her free-kick, but Newcastle saw out the game to keep their 100% record intact.
