Durham fall to defeat against Sunderland in the River Wear Derby, despite Leyla McFarland’s last-minute consolation.
Durham took the lead in the 42nd minute after a deflection found Mollie Lambert for a tap-in.
Sunderland equalised in the 64th minute after a shot from Katie Kitching floated into the far corner and put themselves ahead in the 81st minute after a strike from Mared Griffiths.
The visitors consolidated their victory in the 91st minute through Marissa Sheva, before McFarland got one back for Durham in the 93rd minute.
Durham went into the River Wear Derby following a recent improvement in home form, beating Portsmouth and drawing against title-contenders Birmingham City.
The first half was fairly even possession wise, but Durham was the team with all the chances – having two opportunities in two minutes through Abbey Jones and Grace Ede.
Durham came close just 10 minutes later when Tyler Toland’s shot smashed the crossbar after Lucy Watson hit the perfect pass to pick out the midfielder.
Durham deservedly fired ahead after a Jones cross that was palmed away by Grace Moloney in the Sunderland goal fell to the feet of Lambert, allowing the midfielder to tap in.
The second half started slower than the first, with a few Sunderland chances being easily cleared by the likes of Sarah Wilson and Michaela Foster.
However, Sunderland persevered, equalising through midfielder Kitching’s strike. The setback only fired Durham up though, with a header from Beth Hepple flying inches above the crossbar minutes later.
Unfortunately, 10 minutes from time Griffiths scored from outside the box to put the visitors 2-1 up, followed by a third from Sheva.
Durham pounced on Sunderland’s vulnerability after scoring, with McFarland firing in a consolation goal, but The Blues ran out of time to complete the comeback.