Durham Women turned in one of their best performances of the season as they beat promotion-chasing London City Lionesses.
A bumper crowd of 1372 was treated to a fine performance from the hosts, who wrapped up all three points courtesy of goals from Rio Hardy, Beth Hepple and Sarah Robson.
But it wasn’t all plain sailing for Durham who had to weather some early pressure from their visitors.
Naoisha McAloon twice did well to deny Kyra Carusa, with her second stop turning the striker’s powerful drive onto the woodwork.
The Wildcats grew into the game and came close to an opener when Jess Clarke curled narrowly wide after cutting inside.
Clarke was a constant threat and it was little surprise that she was involved in the opener – drawing a foul in the box which allowed Hardy to step up and power home from the spot.
And within ten minutes, Durham would double their lead.
Dee Bradley did well to pick out Hepple on the edge of the box and she clipped an inch-perfect effort into the top corner from 25 yards.
McAloon made another big stop, clawing away Shanade Hopcroft’s free-kick, before Hepple turned provider for the third – her free-kick met by a fine Robson header to put Durham comfortably in control at the break.
The second half started with London City pressing forward, but without seriously testing McAloon.
Indeed, the best chances continued to fall Durham’s way. Hardy saw a volley tipped wide by Shae Yanez before Bradley had a header cleared off the line from the resultant corner.
There was a brief scare for Durham when substitute Lois Heuchan bundled home a corner to pull a goal back, only for the referee and linesman to decided she had handled with the goal chalked off.