Durham Women kept their promotion hopes alive with a well-earned victory over Millwall Lionesses.
Emily Roberts’ stunning solo effort was enough for the Wildcats as they put the pressure on Tottenham and Charlton above them in the race for second place.
In truth, it could have been more than one as Durham dominated throughout – leaving stopper Megan Borthwick a mere spectator throughout.
Nicki Gears and Zoe Ness both saw early efforts flash narrowly wide as the Wildcats began on the front foot, mounting wave after wave of attack.
The lively Roberts was then twice thwarted – first seeing a half-volley fly wide after some penalty area pinball, before her powerful effort was spectacularly saved by Millwall ‘keeper Rhiannon Stewart.
An ambitious 40-yard effort from Sarah Wilson then almost caught out the impressive Stewart from 40 yards, the stopper then managing to claw an effort off the line moments later when Beth Hepple’s corner took a wicked deflection towards goal.
While there was no breakthrough before half-time, Durham continued to push forwards and laid siege on the Millwall goal.
Ness placed a fine effort just wide of the near post while Holmes nodded narrowly wide at the far post from an inch-perfect Lisa Robertson free-kick.
But an opener did come on 69 minutes courtesy of a moment of brilliance from Roberts, who went on a fine run before curling home from the edge of the area.
The Wildcats could have added to their tally – with Ness seeing a close range effort spectacularly saved by Stewart – but one goal proved enough as they remain in the thick of the promotion battle.