Durham Women fell to a narrow defeat at promotion-chasing Birmingham City – having created more than their share of chances.
Tara Bourne’s second half goal sealed victory for the hosts but they were indebted to stopper Lucy Thomas who made a number of fine saves to keep the Wildcats at bay.
It was the visitors who started brightly with Beth Hepple firing narrowly over after Saoirse Noonan’s initial strike was blocked.
Thomas then made a fingertip stop to keep Robson’s curling effort from 25 yards with Sarah Wilson’s header from the resultant corner then striking the post.
Beth Hepple was the next player to strike the woodwork as she tried to find the near post with a clever free-kick – but there was to be no breakthrough before the interval.
And after the break, Birmingham rallied as they won a string of set pieces and started to carve out chances of their own.
Dee Bradley had to head a in-swinging Lucy Quinn corner off the line but it would be another set piece that gave the Blues the lead.
Louise Quinn won the first ball and Bourne reacted quickest to prod home.
Durham almost had an instant response as Georgia Robert unleashed a rasping drive from range – but Thomas was again equal to the strike with a fine save.
And despite the visitors showing plenty of endeavour late on, they struggled to create any meaningful late chances,
Indeed, Birmingham could have doubled their advantage late on as Claudia Walker side-footed wide from inside the box.
One goal was enough for the Blues though, and the two sides will do battle again at Maiden Castle on Sunday.