Durham Women left it late to secure a well-deserved win over Lewes – as they wrapped-up a second league win of the campaign in the most dramatic of fashions.
Sarah Robson netted in the seventh minute of added time to secure the three points, after the two sides had traded penalties earlier in the second half.
Emily Kraft had opened the scoring for the Rooks from 12 yards before Beth Hepple levelled at the other end.
Off the back of their dramatic win over Sheffield United in the Continental Tyres League Cup, Durham began brightly and dominated the early exchanges.
Hepple saw an early drive from distance saved by the stretching Sophie Whitehouse, before Rio Hardy headed narrowly over after Maria Farrugia’s fine centre.
Lily Crosthwaite then saw an excellent delivery just evade a number of on-rushing attackers as the hosts continued to apply all the pressure.
Hepple again warmed the palms of Whitehouse before Saoirse Noonan saw an acrobatic effort blocked.
Farrugia also twice came close before the interval – first twisting and turning before being denied by the Lewes stopper, and then seeing a powerful effort narrowly deflected wide.
It was arguably my Durham’s most controlled performance of the season thus far during the first half, but ten minutes after the restart the game turned on its head.
Robson looked to make a superb tackle to stop Stobbs, only for referee Ali Rahjoo to point to the spot – Kraft emphatically converting.
But the hosts rallied and regained their superiority, and were level with 20 minutes remaining.
Rio Hardy was bundled down as she broke into the area, and Hepple made no mistake from the spot-kick.
The introduction of Mollie Lambert gave Durham an extra attacking impetus and she was denied by Whitehouse after a good move as the Wildcats sensed an opportunity.
And the midfielder would have a key hand in the winner – teeing-up Robson to smash into the top corner deep into stoppage times, prompting raucous celebrations from the home players and fans.