Durham Women suffered only a second league defeat of the season at the hands of Charlton Athletic.
Goals from Beth Lumsden and Jess King were enough for the hosts, despite Lauren Briggs’ late consolation.
Durham began brightly and had the first real chance of the game when Abby Holmes’ hustle allowed her the chance to shoot from the angle.
The powerful effort looked to be heading for the top corner, only for the fingertips of Eartha Cummings in the Charlton goal.
Charley Clifford then curled a free-kick over at the other end but Cummings was again called into action – this time holding a Beth Hepple volley from the edge of the area.
But somewhat against the run of play, it was the hosts who took the lead.
After Ella Powell forced a ball into the box, King squared for Lumsden who slotted home from close range.
Durham came close to a quick-fire leveller after Molly Sharpe threaded in Hepple, but her lofted effort was parried by Cummings.
The Addicks could have doubled their lead before the break with Alice Griffiths firing wide after Lumsden’s powerful free-kick struck the wall, as the hosts ended the half strongly.
And the hosts again came close shortly after the restart as King fired wide after a suspected foul on Salicki.
The Charlton striker would eventually double her side’s lead though, after she slotted home from Shauna Vassell’s square ball – despite most of the ground looking towards the linesman expecting a flag to be raised.
From there on out it was effectively one-way traffic as Durham sought the goal that would reignite the contest.
Hepple sent a header into the hands of Cummings before Briggs sent an effort narrowly over from distance – but Charlton did well to restrict the opportunities that fell to the visitors.
And the Wildcats had the goal their play deserved with two minutes left on the clock.
It owed much to fine work from substitute Lily Crosthwaite out wide, who pulled the ball back for Briggs to whip home.
Despite some late pressure was there to be no leveller for Durham.