Durham Women and Aston Villa shared the spoils in an end-to-end clash at Boldmere St Michael’s.
Nicki Gears’ early opener was cancelled out by Nadine Hanssen after the break, with both sides guilty of missing chances late on.
Villa started brightly and saw plenty of ball on home soil, but found themselves behind after just seven minutes.
A fine through ball from Lisa Robertson set Iris Achterhof away down the left, and her low cross was turned home at close range by Gears.
Mel Johnson and Sophie Haywood both missed golden chances to level for Villa, while Achterhof was scythed down in the box with penalty appeals waved away.
The Wildcats continued to press after the break, with Gears firing wide after some good hold up play from Sarah Robson and Achterhof.
Megan Borthwick was then called into action to tip a low effort from Johnson wide, only for Villa to then net from the resulting corner – Hanssen forcing the ball home.
Villa kept pushing, with Ellie Christon hacking an effort from Mel Johnson off the line before Kathryn Hill’s fine interception stopped Johnson from shooting.
Achterhof had a chance to win it late on but was denied by Villa stopper Sian Rogers when through one-on-one – leaving the points to be shared.