Durham Women secured a memorable penalty triumph over Manchester United – having twice come from behind in the Continental Tyres Cup clash.
Jade Moore and Vilde Boe Risa had twice put the Red Devils ahead, before Jess Clarke and Sarah Robson drew Durham level – with the latter’s goal coming in the last minute of added time.
And then Naoisha McAloon proved the hero in the shootout, saving two spot-kicks to secure a bonus point for the hosts.
With a sell-out crowd in attendance at Maiden Castle, Durham had to do their share of defending early on with Rachel Williams firing an early effort wide.
But clear-cut chances were few and far between, with both sides evening each other out in the early exchanges.
And it took a moment of quality from Moore to open the scoring – as she arched home a volley from the edge of the area after Durham failed to clear a long throw.
That spurred Durham into life, with the lively Clarke teeing-up Maria Farrugia who saw a shot blocked.
Indeed, it was the hosts who ended the half the stronger of the two sides and they got a deserved leveller on the stroke of half-time – Clarke sliding home from Beth Hepple’s teasing free-kick.
The second half proved to be much of the same with few clear-cut chances – although Bridget Galloway was denied by Sophie Baggaley after a fine cut-back from Mollie Lambert.
But it was to be United who struck next courtesy of another fine strike from Boe Risa who drilled home from the corner of the box.
But again, Durham came back – with substitute Rio Hardy twice seeing efforts saved as the hosts pushed and probed.
The withdrawal of Saoirse Noonan saw the side end the game with a player less – but that didn’t stop the most dramatic of finishes, Robson bundling home from a corner with practically the final kick of the game.
And so to penalties it went – Hepple, Hardy and Galloway all netted while McAloon denied Millie Turner and Maya Le Tissier after Katie Zelem fired wide, meaning Durham claimed the bonus point.