Joy Ralph’s 18th minute header gave United the lead before Durham levelled the score through Abbey Jones’ corner – but it was Sheffield that took home the bonus point.
Adam Furness made eight changes to the squad that lost to Sunderland last week: Anna King, Grace Ayre, Sarah Robson, Hannah Blake, Abbi Grant, Grace Ede, Leyla McFarland and Abbey Jones were all named in the starting eleven.
The first chance of the game came from Sheffield, Lauren Thomas got through on goal, but King made a big save to deny the forward.
Sheffield took the lead in the 18th minute through Ralph’s header after the ball dropped to her inside the box from a corner.
Leyla McFarland’s cross found Jones in the centre of the penalty area, but her header fell inches wide of the right post.
Durham found the back of the net in the 44th minute as Jones’ corner was headed home by Sheffield defender, Ralph.
With just over 30 minutes left on the clock, Jones’ created another big chance from a corner, but after a scramble in the penalty area, the shot was saved by Katie Keating.
King made a brilliant save in stoppage time, tipping Sheffield’s free kick over the bar in the dying seconds of the game.
As neither side could find a winner in normal time, the game went to penalties, which saw Sheffield win 3-2 and take home the two points.